Twilight

I have finished the third book in the Twilight series. I'm telling you, I love the books. For some reason, they hypnotize me and I am totally enthralled while reading them. I really loved the book Eclipse. (Note to Stacey, I barely started the book on late Wednesday night and finished it this afternoon! Ha! I take forever....) Actually, I totally know what Stacey means about being impatient for the next story. I called the library on Wednesday to see if they even had the book. They told me they had six copies! My heart skipped a beat and I was practically on my way to get one. Then they broke the news slowly that I had to be placed on a waiting list as all books were in the hands of other readers. Now, my heart sunk. You can only imagine (well, maybe only Stacey and Roger can imagine) my elation when I the library called me around 5 p.m. stating that Edward and Bella, I mean, my book was waiting for me. I hastily jumped in my car and sped to the library. I was never so happy to see that annoying little control freak/librarian as I was that night. So, I've discovered the twists and turns, the surprises and fights of Eclipse. I've been totally useless lately and I'm sure I will be able to be useful again when I learn what finally becomes of my three best friends after Breaking Dawn.

Now, I'll go and start my job at Harlequin because after reading this post, they're going to be calling I can just feel it....

How old am I again?

Ok. I'm done with both Twilight and New Moon. Can't put the suckers down. It's really sort of pathetic. Sheryl and I took my 3 oldest chitlins to the movie last night. I'm glad we went, but was disappointed. So many things were out of order, missing, or added. If a director is doing a book, at least stick to the story. It's fun to put faces to the characters though. There wasn't nearly enough kissing, touching, or passion in the movie. Not just on the romantic scenes, but in the fight scene in the ballet studio. Hopefully they'll get their act together for the next one. Now I'm very impatiently waiting for Sheryl to finish the 3rd one, Eclipse, so I can start it. She's taking FOREVER!

Twilight

I read the book. You all can close your jaws now. Some people, who will remain nameless (Shonna), think it's "cheating" to listen to an audio book and call it read. I don't subscribe to that line of thinking. Anyway, I really enjoyed the book. It was quite a long introduction and I was almost bored from it, then it picked up the pace and kept me enthralled to the end. I think the author did a great job of writing from a teenage girl's point of view. She has the egocentric thought processes right on, and the drama. It was a fun love story. I did think the part how he watched her sleep was a little on the creepy side, I mean, what if she had flatulence. Wouldn't that be embarrassing? :)

I've started the second book (thanks, Roger, for letting me borrow it), New Moon. I read 100 pages last night. It started slow, too. I was just about to stop for the night (actually it was 1:00 this morning!) and it caught me again. I kept reading for another 45 minutes. Silly me.

Llama Llama Red Pajama...such a tizzy for your mamma!

Have any of you read Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney? CUUUUUTE book. The illustrations are awesome, and it makes Emmett laugh. I love that book!

Sure

I'm all for reading that book Jaime. I met the author in Costco right after it came out. I've wanted to read it and never got around to it!

BTW, Twilight is done! Good quick read! I'll start the next one soon. Who else has started it? Is anyone else done?

Just Curious?

I am just curious as who has already read this book, "A train to Potevka"? I would really like to read it, and seeing that I do get to pick the next book after Twilight, I thought about it, but I don't know who has already read it? Give me your thoughts, otherwise, I will choose something different. By the way, it was so great to be able to see you, Shonna. This last weekend was so much fun. Thanks to everyone, I think it was a great success.

New Book

I don't know who's read Twilight by Stephenie Meyers, but that's what I'm going to choose for the book this time. I apologize if ya'll have read it already, but apparantly, I'm like the only female on the planet who hasn't read this book. If you want it, you can get it at Costco for around $6.50. If you've already read it, I'm sorry. We'll catch you on the next go round.

Happy Birthday to Robert Callister by the way!

Come on already

Whats up with this blog? I think everyone is face booking now. Stacey, do you have a book picked out? I am ready with it. I think we should just continue the way it is, with no time off. Its my opinion that there isn't any pressure on reading the books. So if you want to read, read. And if you don't, then don't. But I think we should continue reading.I think we all understand that the holidays are upon us, and it just may take a little longer to get the book finished because of it.
That's my two cents. (p.s. I am not mad, I apologize if it sounds that way:) Just commenting.

Next Book??

Hey Stacey I think you said that you choose next. I think that everyone that is going to read this last one is finished. I definitely don't want to suspend the club. I think we should still keep picking and whoever wants to participate can. So, go ahead and choose, I know that the holidays are upon us and we are going to be busy, but we can have it in the wings and get started and be looking forward to getting it read by end of Jan. What do you all think?

I too am now done!

I finished the book last night at midnight! I also had a headache by the end because I was so into it. I kept thinking something bad was going to happen to Beth at the end. But I am glad that it didn't end that way. I thought it was good the way it ended.
While reading this I did think about you, Shonna. I think you are Beth's "Rachel" to Brittany. Even though you are her mom. Maybe I am wrong, but it seems that those "miracle" kids have only 1 special person that they like to keep near to them always, in good and bad times. It was sad to me to see that Beth didn't want to see her dad anymore, and that her mom moved far away and didn't get to see her much. Even though they talked on the phone. And it didn't seem to bother Beth her much, at least it didnt say. Also, it could be that this is all from Rachel's point of view and not really Beths.

I can also see why some people are blessed with these little "miracles". I think god know each and every one of us, and what we are capable of. I am NOT sure that I am capable of caring for a "miracle" child. That's why you, Shonna, are so good at it with Brittany. I am so glad that we have Brittany in our big family. Her innocence keeps us in check with the simplest things, and also keeps us laughing. Thanks Brittany for being you! I love you because you are you!!!

Now onto the next book. I would like to keep reading its been fun to see the variety in books.

The Book Quandry

Hey I'm glad you enjoyed it. I would love to keep going with the book club and whoever wants to continue. You know me, love, love, love to keep reading. Jaime, how much more do you have to go? Mom, you are still reading too right? Anyone else? Let us know folks.

DONE!!!

I finished the book last night, and had a raging headache to boot. Loved it! Shonna, you know way more about it than I do obviously...right now, I don't have a whole lot more to add. I liked the way it ended...and while it's sad that Rachel told her she hated her, I think it ended well between them. Those words, though harsh, seemed to awaken something within Beth. It was nice to see that she could change when she really wanted to. It seemed to be one of those "cataclysmic" moments when she could draw on her own resourcefulness when necessary. Good book Shonna! Do you know if anyone else plans to read it, or should we wait for Jaime to finish and move on? It's my choice next. Do you guys want to continue it or suspend it for a while? I'm great with moving on with whoever wants to.

My thoughts

Okay, the idea that they don't get frustrated by us not being able to "deal" with them is not true. I don't think they get frustrated on the level that maybe we do. What I was trying to say is that they realize on their level that they are different. The main reason I was thinking a long these lines is, Brittany has moments when she has some deep thoughts about why things are the way they are. I guarantee you Beth has some of those thoughts as well. I just don't think you get that side of it always unless you are around it a lot. Also, they have a hard time putting it into words. I just know that I can get frustrated with Brittany and her issues sometimes and all I am saying is that I know she gets frustrated too and that I need to remember that. I was born "normal" she wasn't and she gets that. I am just saying that they are very self centered, but that they do realize they are treated differently and have to figure out ways to live around that reality, which this books tells that story so well.
The steralization part made me cry from the sisters stand point. Also from the stand point of Beth. The fact that she came to the realization that she would have a difficult time parenting a child was huge. We have discussions like that often around here. Brittany is really drawn to movies like Forest Gump, The Other Sister, I Am Sam. She loves these movies. She sees that she is like the characters. I Am Sam helped her come the the realization that she probably shouldn't ever have a kid either. So sad sometimes and yet grateful that she understands that. She has accepted that Sami's kids will be her "grandkids". Yet another way of living around it. I know I have been going on and on, but like I said this book touched me on a deeper level. I still get emotional about it. I am glad that you all are liking it and that there is still life in the group.

I'm on page 180 or so. I think the sterilization is a good idea if they are going to be sexually active. If Beth isn't able to take care of a child, then it's irresponsible to let her reproduce. It would be a hard decision to make, and it's perfect that they let Beth have a say in it. It wasn't like they didn't think of other options either.

The idea that Beth might be frustrated as well is an interesting thought. I wonder if she is, or if she has the capability to think beyond herself. They've already made it clear that she's self oriented...maybe she does what she does and doesn't go beyond that. If she's frustrated, she sure doesn't say anything. She just agree's or disagree's with what's going on. She puts everything she's thinking out there, so I don't know that she's frustrated. What do you think?

Its got me thinking

I am now on page 155. I think you are right, Shonna. Its funny I had a similar thought, about how it must be frustrating for them to communicate with us. I just read about how Rachel decides to some digging on what metal retardation really is. And how mentally retarded Beth is and how to "deal" with her.
My views have changed slightly....well they have me thinking. I had a discussion with a friend about this book we are reading. And I was at the part about how they decided it was best to have Beth sterilized so she couldnt get pregnant. My friend thought it was terrible that anyone would sterilze thier kids so they in turn couldnt have kids. My thoughts were different. I feel bad for the "mentally challenged". And I have this thought that people will take advantage of them and can do "bad" things to them. And so I thought it would be a good idea to have them sterilized so that it doesnt worsen the situation by being pregnant or getting a disease.But then after having this discussion, you cant classify all "mentally challenged" into one group. It all depends on their level of mental capabilities.
Where is every one else with the book? Has anyone else finished besides Shonna?

Riding the bus

I think the bus is a great metaphor for living with someone like Beth. I loved the book and a thought occurred to me at the end of it. I obviously did a lot of relating to this book because of Brittany. Anyway, my thought was this....Rachel has such a hard time relating at times to her sister, and I just had the overwhelming thought of the fact that these folks "get" that they are different, they know that they aren't like everyone else. Yet they just accept if for the most part. But, imagine how exhausting and frustrating it must be for them to have that knowledge and not be able to do anything about it. They have no choice but to just go ahead with who they are and I just wonder if anyone ever thinks or realizes that these folks can get as down and sad about relating to us and we can with them. I don't know if this is making any sense. I just laid in bed one night after "dealing" with Britt and feeling pitiful about it and thought, I wonder if she ever gets tired of it too. Very humbling.
But for the most part, Britt brings such joy to my life. I feel that she really is a miracle and she helps me stay grounded. Lucky me!!!!

hallelujah! The book club lives on!

Jaime, I'm so glad you're still there! Just so ya'll know, I'm on pg. 120 and loving it. This book gives me a new appreciation for people who are "different". I'll write more later, but I'm enjoying this quite a bit...

I finally got the book!

I finally went to Barnes&Nobles and bought the book. I was trying to get it from the library but it just wasn't working out. Anyways, I got it on Friday, and am already hooked. I am on page 100 or so? I think the chapter I am on is "disabilities".

It really has made me think about the way our lives work. How maybe the simplest jobs, can be the most rewarding. It also has me thinking a little differently about the "mentally retarded". And about the family around them who learn first hand the differences there are in people. I like that the sister has dedicated herself to keeping her committment in riding these bus' for a year. Even when it seems her life is just so busy. It inspires me to take extra steps in finding treasures in the littlest and simplest things, then to be stuck in a rut, or the daily routine.
Reading on........................

By the way, I am either not with the program or everyone is just so busy. I am surprised at how it seems that no one else is voicing out on the blog as much as it used to be. Maybe the newness has worn away, or you are all on facebook now.

I've started...about time too!

I've got the book and read around 20 pages now. I'm finally on the bandwagon! I'm already drawn into the book...it should be a good one.

I already commented and added my 2 cents about the election on both Sheryl and Shonna's blogs. You can look there for my opinion about it if you want.

I do know that I don't understand all I eventually hope to about our government. I just got the Idiot's guide to American Government at the library. I've not read it yet, but hope it will give me a sort of basic understanding. I didn't pay that much attention in class in High School.

Election

I think this is an amazing time of life! We have witnessed something in our country that an underprivileged group has only "dreamed" of for so long. Finally someone came along with the chops to make it happen. Kudos to Obama.

I do agree with Jaime about the electoral votes. It seems like this should be reconfigured since it doesn't seem to serve the same purpose it did when the process was conceived. I don't agree that a little state like NH (no offense) should have more voting "power" than a more populated state. It doesn't make sense. Plus, in our technologically advanced voting system, I think there has to be a better process - like actually applying the "popular" vote.

Election

I think this whole this is a conspiracy. I think its already decided before we even get to vote. And the whole electoral vote thing, if your state has the most, then it goes by that. So what does going and voting really even do, if it doesnt even matter? I think we are in the times of things. With the stocks going the way they do, and mortgages, and the economy. An article came out in the church news about "slippery treasures." And it relates to scripture, and the prediction of it. Things are about to change in our little world, and actually I am really scared for the future. I keep hearing about food storage, and 72 hour kits. I hope you all have those things. I certainly am not prepared for it, and it scares me. I want to, but at the same time, I think "why move it?" Since we know that we will most likely be moving soon anyways, I dont want to move it with me.
Anyways, thats my take on things. Maybe I am being a little dramatic!

I'm a little behind...wish I still had one...

This is Stacey. I ordered the book almost a week ago. I'll go check the mail today. Sorry I'm so behind you Shonna...

How does everyone feel about the election results? I expect some conversation here people!

Yea Mom You are there!!!!!

So glad to see a new post. And, I am glad you are enjoying the book. I think it is a good one. Keep reading. How bout everyone else? Y'all need to get reading!!

I am loving this book also, and it probably is because we do have our lovely miracle. There are some things that I think are just too cute, like the crush on the new driver, yet the saddness of rejection.
I really enjoyed the way her vision changed, the new way of seeing things because of the simple experience of relaxing and letting go. I'm not finished yet, but working on it.

Done!

Okay, so I feel like a loner out here. Has our club fizzled? Is anyone reading? I know you all aren't posting or even emailing. I finished the book at 2 this morning. I really liked it. It was mostly positive and to me a good read. I read with appreciation. Anyway, it isn't a hard read at all. I think I want to recommend it to Sami. I think she would really relate. Anyway, don't give up. Keep reading. I just got a new book called the Shack. It is pretty popular so you may have heard of it. I will let you know what I think. I also got the new one that Oprah is pitching. The story of Edgar Sawtele. I haven't recieved it yet in the mail so I will also probably report on that one as well. Have a good week.

Well this is a good book.

Hey guys, this is a very good heartstrings book. I am really enjoying it. I don't know if it is because it hits me on a personel level or what but I find my self feeling very grateful for my situation and also feeling like there are people out there that experience what we do with our "goddamn miracle" I love that child so much. The other day she said to me, "Mom, I know I am a grown up, but I have the spirit of a child" , "you know like the mind a one too". Can you hear my heart melting?

Strange...

Okay, for some reason I can find time to read this blog, Facebook, email, and check the news on the web, but for the darndest reason I can't find time to read the book. There must be something wrong with me. Don't comment on that! :)

DONE!

Voila! I've officially ordered the book and it will ship in 1-2 business days. Thanks for the reminder!

Never!

I'm planning on reading it, in fact I commit to have it ordered by the end of the day. Even if it's only you and me in the end Shonna, that's ok.

The current book

Is anyone out there reading the book? I am about in the middle and it is pretty good. Not outstanding as far as literature goes, but the woman does write well and it is poignant in some ways for me because of Brittany. Some paralells there. Anyway, hope everyone hasn't petered out on our club.

Just finished the book "Money Wise and Spiritually Rich" by Dennis R. Deaton. It's got really basic financial to-do's, which was great for me. Any of you read a book recently that you'd like to share?

Please read this book!

Just finished The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby. Please read this book. It is sad and funny at the same time, I loved it! It's a quick read too for all you full time students out there who don't have time to read certain unnamed, much longer, not as rewarding selections.

Absence Explained?

Sorry about not reading my own selection! I wish I could say I was distracted by falling madly in love with a member of the British royal family, but that's not the case. Maybe next time! :)

For anyone interested...

You can order the next book...

Riding the Bus with my Sister by Rachel Simon

at www.abebooks.com for $4.95. This price includes shipping and will take about a week to come.

Votes are in...THANK YOU!

I vote an official HEE-HAW to that!

Yes, Movin would be nice!!!

Okay since we have a new book already chosen and some of us have gotten it and are reading it. So, I say we move on if you haven't finished the last one. You won't be missing the "end" since his books are all essays. So, let's see some participation here folks.

Let's get movin' people!

Mom, I am officially proud of you for posting a photo! Now, have you finished the book yet? Has anyone else finished that infernal thing? Time's draggin' by people...Chop Chop Chop!

Oh Baby!

Just had to share these pic's. I laughed so hard. I cant put them on my blog, because his mom may not think these are as funny as I think they are Does'nt it remind you of the movie, Superstar (with molly shannon), where she thinks the tree is her boyfriend, and she is caught making out with the tree.

This was at brady's birthday party. This boy didnt want to play on the playground with all the other little kids. He just hung around the pole watching everyone, and when I tried to take his picture, he would shy away.

New Book!!!!!!

Here it is folks, the new book is.........
Riding the Bus with My Sister
by Rachel Simon.
Get it, read it and let's talk about it. Have a great weekend. Love you all!!!

Hey we are definitely on the same wave length

I agree, we are the only ones posting. I might just go ahead and put the new selection out there for everyone. I am wondering if everyone has lost interest in Mr. Sedaris. I know that I find a few of his chapters comical and then I find myself forcing myself to read others. They are just boring sometimes. Also, I think he tends to stay on the same boring subject for too long. I am noticing that in this other one that I am reading of his as well. It is called Naked. I don't think I would go and tell everyone I know that they should read his books I am thinking that eh, take it or leave it. You can definitely have a few good laughs.

Is anybody else out there?

Ok, I'm pretty sure we are definitely alone in this universe. We should just IM everything...I guess we kind of are anyway. How about we actually talk on the phone sometime?

He He He!!

I hope that made you laugh. That is something we would have to explain to Mom though.

Naive?

Oh Shonna...please tell me you're kidding.

What the Heck is a Dildo?

My brain is a little slow...and yes, I have been smelling paint chips

I'm so sorry I thought Shonna posted that one that Jaime did. Jaime, I cannot believe you talked dildo's with your mamma...I thought it was funny when I thought it was LeeAnn. Your mom is even funnier...

Sorry about your wallpaper Jaime. No, I won't call DFS on you.

I have the book picked already.

I taught 7th grade today and saw a book in the book case that I had heard about and so I "borrowed" it. I was going to pick a different one but then I decided on this one. I will reaveal when it seems that all are finished with this one. I am thinking we should all be done in the next 2 weeks. What do you all think? I was saying who me silly goose? Because it seemed like you were answering the previous post as if it were me and I meant to post and say that it was actually Jaime asking the questions. Anyway, I didn't finish the post so it went up as just the title. Anyway, I am working a couple of books as well. One thing about this book club, I find myself always reading something and more adventurous in trying out differtent things. Love, love, love reading always have and am really liking letting myself do it no matter how much I have going on. I am finding myself adddicted to the library, I get a buzz going there. Is that weird? Brittany and I..... that's our happy place.

Yes you...couldn't be...then who?

I know you would never call yourself that, but that's exactly what you are. What are you going to pick? I'm ok if it takes a while for everyone to finish. It will give me a little time to finish the other 2 books I have to finish. Love you!

Me, silly goose?

Shonna you pick next you silly goose! The Sedaris books are all individual essays. They don't tie into each other at all except coincidentally. In the second book I just finished, "When you are engulfed in flames", he is pretty funny, because he refers to some of the things he and Hugh do as "faggy". Like Hugh picking wildflowers in the early morning and bringing them in a vase for the house. If that's faggy, I guess I'm there too...

Book Club Rocks!

I agree with Stacey, I have read more this year then any other year. It gives me a little more to do other than scrapbook or card making. So what is the 2ND Sedaris book like? Is it anything like the first book? I am enjoying the book, but does it tie all together in the end? I haven't finished it yet, but so far it seems like its just some stories of his past. Don't get me wrong, some of them are funny as heck, and I am enjoying them, but does it have a point? Does anyone know what I mean? I don't care very much for the part about drugs, and getting high. And the chapter about the brother and the way he talks to his dad. I hope my kids don't ever talk that way to me, or I talk that way ever to my mom. Heck, my mom, probably wouldn't even know what half those words mean. I had to explain what a "dildo" was to my mom. It was quite the conversation, and I was definitely embarrassed to have to have a talk with my mom in that area. Yikes!! Well, Cheers to our Book Club, and it rocks! Who picks next?

HELLO?!

I'm glad we did this book club too. I've read more this year than in all the years of my marriage combined. I finished my 2nd Sedaris book today. Where in the world is everyone? Shonna, I fear we are alone in this universe...at least we have each other.

Do you all realize?????

Hey guys, I was thinking this morning, (something I don't normally do) that it is coming up on a year since we began our adventure in book clubbing. I think you all had the idea back when you all were together for Hunter's baptubbin. Well, in October that will have been a year. I'm proud of us all for doing this and staying involved with it. I think it has been a lot of fun. And being this far away from all of you it makes me feel a bit closer. Thanks guys for the idea and I look forward to more years of it. Now what do you all think of the book?

What a Crock!

Gary you are so funny!!! Just because you don't have as many kids at home all day doesn't mean that you automatically are entitled to the laundry fairies and the dish fairies and such. In fact all that work still needs to be done you just aren't tripping over as many of the little cherubs. In fact you have to bust butt to get it done faster so that when they decsend with all of the homework and after school stuff you have time to do that. In fact sometimes it seems that you got more done when they were all home all of the time. As far as the reading goes, you are just more effecient as to when you fit it in. The toilet, the car (when waiting on someone of course, not driving and reading....silly) just whenever you can grab a moment. There is always time to read. Now getting on the computer to blog, that is a bit more tricky. I find that I am on here later at night sometimes. So, everyone, keep reading, Stacey you keep reading and eating bon bons if you want.

Jaime, don't you know...
I sit all day long on the couch and pop bon bons and read books...in between all the soap operas I watch of course. I only have 2 kids at home during the day now. It's amazing how much stuff I can get done now!

Busy Busy Busy

So everytime I try to blog, my kiddo's like to come and hang out by me, and then Connor crys, and well its all over by then. So I dont have time to post. Plus, I am still reading the book, and am not very far into it. I dont know how you do it, Stacey, reading all those books? And taking care of kids.....when do you go to bed? or get up? Anyways, the kiddo's are here again, gotto go.
Check out my blog, Bryans Wii video its hilarious!

Hey everybody, where the heck are you?

To add to Shonna's question of "where is mom", where is Karie and Jaime? I've not seen a post from you in so long?!

Goodness Gracious Read already!!!!

So, I am happy to see that you all seem to be enjoying the book. I just started another of his books, "Naked". Again, funny. There is this chapter about someone in the family wiping their butts on the towels. It is pretty dang hilarious. By the way Mom, are you reading the book? I haven't read any comments from you.

Mr. Thedarith

Yes, I've started the book. I have read three chapters (or is it four?). I'm loving it so far. Again, I think the guy knows how to write.

My experience with the top 100...pretty pathetic

Ok first of all Karie and I are in the middle of the book and loving it!  We are reading it to each other and it makes it funnier.  I personally love the chapter about the snooty food.   So dang sarcastic.

Back to the top 100:

(Does watching a version of the book as a movie count? 'Cause if it does I've experienced over half of them.) Also why was Mitch Album's Top Five People... on the list, but Tuesdays with Morrey wasn't?  I've read that one.

1.  The Harry Potter Series

Who doesn't want to live the life of a wizard?

2. To Kill a Mockingbird

Read as a class in 10th grade and then watched the movie.  The movie -- BLAH! The book -- fantastic!

3.  The Bible (if selected verses count)

4.  Shakespeare (OK i've only seen them, not read them, but hey Audio Book, right?)

5. Chronicles of Narnia (All of them on the CDs given to me by Mom - excellent)

6. Animal Farm (One of my favorites)

7. The DaVinci Code (Makes you really think -- could that really be the Holy Grail?)

8. The Secret Garden (Again-- read as a class -- this time in 3rd grade and then watched the movie.  The book - WAY BETTER! But then I think that's typical. However I do think the most recent remake is a good one.)

9.  A couple of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

10. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 

11.  Les Mis (Actually, I only read part of the abridged version.  Yes I know, "Abridged is of the devil." But have you seen the size of the unabridged?)

I plan on reading Atonement because I already own it, but as for the rest of them-- I hadn't really thought about it.  For now, I'm sticking with Me Talk Pretty and The Alchemist.

Talk at ya later.

Nowhere near 100...

Okay, Shonna & Stacey have WAY too much time on their hands to be finished already. Okay, maybe they just have more time on the potty. Whatever it is, you beat us all! I have yet to start it.

Here are the books that I've read from that list. I think the list is pretty good, but there are some that I don't think need to be one there! :)

1. The Bible (plus the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, Church History - I highly recommend all of these)
2. Nineteen Eighty-Four (I hated reading this in high school, it freaked me out)
3. Animal Farm (same as above)
4. Not the complete works of Shakespeare, but these are the ones I remember reading: Macbeth (love this one), Romeo & Juliet, Taming of the Shrew, Midsummer Night's Dream, Merchant of Venice (made me think, but a creepy concept)
5. Of Mice and Men
6. The Kite Runner
7. Memoirs of a Geisha
8. Moby Dick
9. Charlotte's Web

I love books that "show" me a new part of the world and a new way to look at the world.
10. The daVinci code

Me Too!!!!!

Hey I finished it just now. And I agree the chapter called Late Night was pretty darn funny. I thought the parts about his dad and his hoarding were stinking hilarious. Stacey, did you find the Parisian chapters boring? Or is it just me. Like the one of "I saw a girl almost killed once". Anyway, I found myself bored with those chapters.
I am beginning to think that we are the only ones reading this or we are the only ones blogging about it. Pretty quick read. I think I will start the other one that I got at the libary now. I will let you know what I think of that one.

DONE!

Am I the only one reading this thing?

Announcement...I finished Me Talk Pretty One Day

Besides chapters I've already mentioned, The Late Show, was also hilarious. All his fantasies make me laugh...and I quote...

"The eyebrows work in consort with my inky black hair, which weighs in midway between curly and wavy, and calls for the invention of a new word."

"It's...cravy," you'll say. "Like a storm at sea if the ocean were made out of hair instead of water."

I've decided I have that kind of hair...cravy.

Honestly, I was surprised I've read as many on that list as I have. The first 3 were forced readings in Jr. High or High school. I know I read some Shakespeare in High School English class, but cannot remember which ones necessarily. I guess that doesn't count.

1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
2. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
3. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
4. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson
5. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
6. Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
7. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
8. The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown
9. 5 People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
10. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

I guess I've just found some other books I'd like to read, 17 on the list looked interesting. I may get into it and decide I want to read them all...you know, in all my spare time. I'm interested to see which books ya'll have read. Maybe if we combine our readings, we could be considered "well read".

Can you beat the average?

I thought this would be interesting to see where we're all at.

Here's how it works:

The Big Read says that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they've printed.

1) Look at the list and identify those that you've read

2) Submit a new post stating how many you've read (even what they are if you want to), and how many you aspire to read.

3) Make the ones you loved obnoxiously larger than life

And now..... THE BIG READ TOP 100

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien

3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

4. The Harry Potter Series JK Rowling

5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

6. The Bible

7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

8. Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell

9. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman

10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott

12. Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy

13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller

14. Complete Works of Shakespeare

15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien

17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks

18. Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger

19. The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

20. Middlemarch - George Eliot

21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell

22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald

23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens

24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy

25. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

26. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh .

27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame

31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens

33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis

34. Emma - Jane Austen

35. Persuasion - Jane Austen

36. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis

37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

38. Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres

39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne

41. Animal Farm - George Orwell

42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving

45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery

47. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy

48. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood

49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding

50. Atonement - Ian McEwan .

51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel

52. Dune - Frank Herbert

53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons

54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen

55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth

56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon

60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov Nabokov

63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt

64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas

66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac

67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy

68. Bridget Jones' Diary - Helen Fielding

69. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie

70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville

71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens

72. Dracula - Bram Stoker

73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson

75. Ulysses - James Joyce

76. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome

78. Germinal - Emile Zola

79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray

80. Possession - AS Byatt

81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker

84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro

85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert

86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry .

87. Charlotte's Web - EB White

88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom

89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton

91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad

92. The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery

93. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks

94. Watership Down - Richard Adams

95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute

97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare

99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl

100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

I don't know how they finalized this list, but there are some pretty good ones here. I think I'm going to go start a new one!

A Shiner Like a Diamond

Amy: "I want to look like someone has beaten the #$%@ out of me."

Then, after the artist was complete, most people nervously looked away, but on the rare occasions someone would ask what happened, Amy would smile as brightly as possible, saying, "I'm in love. Can you believe it? I'm finally, totally in love, and I feel great."

Can we get a midget?

When Spencer was a little boy (probably 4 or so) he asked us if we could get a midget. He promised he'd watered it and feed it and take it on walks.

I couldn't get through the Rooster chapter, I had to skip it. The swearing gets to me...however, the one on starting on page 97, I laughed until I cried at that one...Big One or Big Boy, something like that.

You can't kill the rooster!!!!

If you aren't to this chapter yet, just wait. Really raunchy and I was laughing my butt off. Iagree with you Karie, I do quite enjoy this book as well. Haven't we all had fantasies of having our own personal midgets. I used to be so jealous of the Johnsons (uncle Lyle's family) because they had that midget (dwarf) nanny. I thought she was so cute and I really wanted to take her home. I think she was actually a friend of one of the nannies but I still wanted her for our nanny. Not that I knew what nannies did anyway.
Stacey, I don't remember which book it was. I didn't read much of it, I couldn't get into it at all. I will find out and let you know. I also have the same problem of checking out boatloads of books. Then I forget to get them back on time and then.....well you know what happens.
Just keep reading!!!!

O.K. Roger and I are reading the book together and I don't know that I have ever laughed so hard.  I love the part about his own "personal midget" and playing the flute and being deemed a prodigy.   Do we all have lives like this and just fail to see the humor in it? Or is he just a really funny guy who knows how to write a book?  Maybe this could be a life lesson for all of us to see more humor in our lives, especially about our past.   I think this is a fantastic book so far and I get so excited to read more every night.  Every time I read it makes me laugh so hard that tears are streaming down my face.  I cannot wear makeup with this one.   Love Love Love it!!!! 

P.S. by the way

By the way Shonna, which Ayn Rand book were your kids ordered to suffer through? Have you read any and which one?

Reed 'em and weep

This will make 4. I'm mad too. I went to the library yesterday and got a BOATLOAD of books for everyone...the bane of my existence is keeping track of them, but I do it anyway. ANYWAY...I had 2 copies of Me Talk Pretty, one for me and Gary, and one for Sheryl. I also had a Dave Barry book. I got home and discovered I never checked them out. They are probably still sitting on the counter crying that they didn't come home with me...oh wait, books don't have feelings. Or do they? I'm not going to scrap the Ayn Rand book. We committed to read it and we're going to finish it. I want to see if Dagny (who names a kid Dagny anyway? how do you look at a beautiful baby and decide to name it Dagny? Or Draco? Or even Ursula for that matter. Alas i digress...) ends up in the special society and what exactly happens to all the characters. Most of them need to be slapped around a little.

By the way, have any of you taken an IQ test before? I just did one online, and the results seemed not quite right. I think I want to take another one and compare.

Miss She who reads 3 books and a long dumb one

Hey Stacey, you mentioned that you are reading 3 books. Does this one make 4 or have you finished it or are you waiting to finish the Ayne Rand one. I suggest you just pooch that one. She bugs me as an author. My kids have to read her book in school.

Started It!!!

Hey so i had already read most of the first chapter online. So I finished that last night and having worked in the school environment with the therapists and special needs people (from an employee standpoint) I find it funny that he picked up on her attitude so well. See the therapists and special ed folks gripe quite a bit about some of the kids that they are dealt. So, I can just imagine how she must have felt as well. I was laughing my butt off though. Then the part about "Future Homosexuals of America". I am laughing as I type. I think this will be a great read. As I was at the library last night I picked up another one of his called Naked. So, that should be interesting. Oh and they way the mom reacts to him complaining about "Agent Samson". "Oh, I am sure she's not that bad, she's just trying to do her job". I have said that so many times to my kids. I guess that really isn't much consolation to a kid eh?

Got it and started it.

Well I actually got the book last saturday, and so far I am only on chapter 2. The first chapter, north carolina is quite interesting. It hasnt quite grabbed my attention just yet, but its just the beginning too. Its funny how he calls the therapist Agent Samson.
I am a busy mom so far. This school thing and being so involved gets me wiped out! I guess I will get used to it, right shonna? But really I have enjoyed being involved, I never knew there was so much more to school than just sending your child to school to get a good education. I joined the PTA this year, and went to my first PTA meeting to vote on the budget. Then tommarrow its another meeting to meet with teachers as room parents to plan parties for the year. Wow! But its what I want, I want to know what is going on and want to be involved. Crazy! Crazy!

Got It!!!!

Hey everyone I got my book at the library tonight. Woo Hoo. I will begin reading tomorrow. After I go and get the damn dryer.

Adventures in Reading

This is an interesting blog so far. Are any of you currently reading a book? Just curious. Sheryl said no one had started her book yet.

As for me, I'm in the middle of 3 books right now...and no it's not ADD. I'm keeping up on all of them so don't you worry about that...

1. Boundaries in Marriage by Dr. Henry cloud and Dr. John Townsend...A great book that would help any of you have a more fulfilling marriage. For those who aren't married, the principles would help you have a better relationship with another person in general. It's not as easy a read as a novel, but I've enjoyed it quite a bit.

2. Atlas Shrugged by Ayne Rand... She is the most overly descriptive author I've ever read. Gary and I have read this one together, and we started it the day before his ankle replacement surgery last October. The book is 1069 pages long, before the epilogue, and we are on page 841. Yeah, it's taking a while. We're sort of bored with it. If we would just read 10 pages a day we could be done by the one year mark. It's a book about the theory of "objectivism" which is her theory of life. Basically, survival of the fittest, no emotions involved or you fail kind of a thing. You should not help others who are in need. This is really simplistic, and there's more to it I know. It's not what I was taught growing up, that's for sure!

3. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris...This is his latest book. Yes, it has a few raunchy parts, watch the language, and hold on to your butts. A few parts have made me laugh harder than I thought I could. I started it in the hospital on Monday and am almost 1/2 way done. It'll be interesting to read his other book soon...

Me neither

Our library does say that it has 2 copies so we will see. I owe money at my town library so they won't let me check anything out. I guess I should pay that off. I keep giving them a dollar here and a dollar there. It amuses me. I don't know why. I think I owe like $9 in over due fines. Does that suck or what?! I find it funny to see the look on their face when I say, "I'll pay a dollar today". Anyway, can you tell I am sleepy and it is late. Me talk pretty one day.

I don't have it yet...

I went to the UofU library today to check out the book and both copies were already gone. What a bummer! I'm trying the local library next.

I knew who the Halloween Fans were - nothing but the SLC Wabel's! I think a family of Frankensteins would be hilarious! You won't have to worry about platform shoes. I think this year I might go "all out" for the holiday. I've been thinking I would dress up as a Canadian.

Halloween Fans

So, Jaime Do you all have a blog now? If so then let us see. It is so much fun. A great way to keep in toughc

Whats in a name?

I am so new to this blogger thing. If you see a post by the Halloween Fans, it is I, Jaime and or Bryan. Sorry if we confused any of you.

My Virgin Blog experience

This is my first blogging experience.  Up til now Karie has been the sole blogger, but now with this book thing I'll do my share of contributing (I'll hopefully start contributing to my family's blog too.)  

Sheryl, I think this is a great idea and I love the "Our Library" on the side.  We bought our book yesterday and are excited to dive right in.  

Stace, I think the Frankenstein idea is a good one for y'all.  

Lets give it a try

Okay, so here we go. I am trying this out. I hope this works? and I do it right? The book sounds very interesting, I read the first chapter online, and am interested in seeing what is to come of the rest of the book. I'm in!
Anyone thought of halloween costumes yet? I woke up this morning laughing, thinking of a funny idea for my kids......frankenstein. Can you imagine Connor with a black crazy hair wig and colored green? Then again, everyone may think of us as the jolly green giant family? Hee hee!
My brain is still brewing up some good ideas for halloween.

So we finally have a book!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!

So, David Sedaris eh? Should be interesting. Be prepared for language folks. I have heard he is good though. I am excited. I will get mine this week and get started. Oh do you want us to add pictures of us reading? Pictures make things more fun. And we all know we could all have more fun.

How does this thing work?

Okay, how do I "post" on this blog? Some of you might be posting on a blog for the first time. So, I'll try to explain how to do it. If you post rather than "comment" it will be a little more effective.

First, click on "Customize" in the top right corner of the screen. Then click on the tab "Posting" in the top left corner of the screen. At this point, simply give your posting a title and then type your comments. When you're finished, click on "Publish Post" in the bottom left corner of the screen. You will then see a screen that says, "Post successful! View your blog" and you're finished.

Hope this helps! :) There is a link on the side bar if you need to see screen shots (pictures) of how this is done.

I am in

And the winner is....

Our next book will be Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. There's a link to some reviews - if you want to read them. I think Mom will like the link because she can even read the first page - oh, wait, it's the last page she likes to read first. I digress.

I set up the blog with each of us as authors. This way we can all write right here. Nifty, eh? I thought so. If it's not so groovy, we can just go back to the email way of doing things. Let me, wait - everyone, know what you think! Blog on....