Book Club 9th Anniversary
Nov 12, 2009 Books
Tonight, my book club celebrated it’s 9th anniversary. I didn’t even realized it had been that long, until the hostess for tonight’s meeting brought out the sparkling cider to celebrate. Yea, we’re a real exciting bunch.
When I joined the group, I did it mostly for social reasons. While I did enjoyed reading, I really enjoyed the friendship from the ladies in my neighborhood. Nine years later, only one member lives in the original neighborhood. Book club has helped us keep in touch.
I’ve also expanded my reading horizons, not just from book club books, but by trying to read at least one book a month outside of book club. I’m learning what kind of books I enjoy. Currently, I’m on a British literature kick. There are so many classics that I’ve yet to tackle. Lucky for me, this last month we read Middlemarch by George Eliot. Yes, another checkmark on my to-read list.
By the way, I like Middlemarch. It’s not a light read weighing in at 800 pages. It took the first 200 hundred pages for me to really get into it. By page 500, the plot really moves. Even with the slow pace, I was moved by the empathetic and not-so-empathetic characters. It’s the type of book that stays with you even after you’ve read the last page.
Now it’s time to get next month’s book, Candide by Voltaire.
Books on Tape
Nov 6, 2009 Books
I’ve managed to condition myself to needing background noise while I do just about everything. I like to catch up on my TV (thanks to hulu and abc.com) while I sew. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long to get through the latest episodes of Glee and Grey’s Anatomy. So a couple of weeks ago, I decided to download an mp3 of Crime and Punishment. (What’s the modern phrase for books on tap? We need a clever phrase.)
I read Crime and Punishment as a high school senior. Many years later, I really couldn’t remember much about the book. I wanted to reread it, but I have so many books on my to-read list. Listing to the book was a great compromise. I was able to download it for free from the local library, with a three week check out period. Even at 25+ hours, I was able to listen it in the allocated time.
Now that I’m done, I can say I loved reacquainting myself with the book. I forgot how good it was. Actually, at 17 I probably really didn’t realize how good it was. My interest in reading/listening to classics is definitely piqued. Now it’s time to choose the next book. That is right after I watch last night’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Nov 8, 2008 Books
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
On more than one occasion this week, I sacrificed sleep to read just one more chapter of A Thousand Splendid Suns. Last night I finished. This isn’t a book I can just rate then move on to the next book on my night stand. My thoughts need to be summarized. Mr. Hosseini shares this story for the world to learn more about the Afgan women. His characters becane real people in my mind. Their sadness became my sadness. Their joy became my joy. Now I feel like I need to do something. As a women in the USA I have many rights and privileges that I take for granted on a daily basis. Lots of food for thought.
While I enjoyed the book, there were many times when it felt more like a device than a story to tell the world about Afgan women. Maybe it was just a little too obvious. I don’t know how this could be avoided given all the attention that Afghanistan receives in today’s media.
A Couple of New Books
Nov 14, 2007 Books, Quilting, Sewing
As a gift, my sweet husband order Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts for me.
All the hype on the Internet prompted me to buy the book site unseen. Normally, I either check out book from the library or I preview it at bookstore before I buy it. Were my expectations met? Yes and I. Let me explain.
When I make gifts I have a tendency to go overboard. With each new gift I feel like I need to exceed my last gift. It’s like I’m competing against myself. I’m not really good as simple, yet useful gifts. So when I looked at the projects in the book, I thought, “Man these are simple.” In hind site, I realize that is key to the “last minute” part of the book title. So with my new perspective, I decided to embrace the simpleness, and I made a pincushion.
with any luck this will be the first of many projects taht I make from this book. Some of them might actually be gifts.
Last weekend, I checked out Bend-the-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol.
While this book is very different from the previous book, I really like it. It’s not even my style. I’m more of a finished look type of sewer. Amy’s projects go for the handmade look. Despite my like, I probably won’t buy the book. The projects that I like the best—Woodland Elf Hat, Simple bib, Scalloped Baby Blanket, and Puppet Theatre—are all for kids, and I have none. Maybe one day.
E is for Eat, Pray, Love
Sep 4, 2007 Books
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert was the latest selection from my book club.
Essential the book is a memoir of the Author’s personal journey to Italy, India, and Indonesia. The author explored pleasure, devotion, and balance in her journey. I think this is a book that people either love or hate. I loved it.
While my personal beliefs are different from the author’s, I had enough in common with her that I could relate and understand her journey. Her journey gave me ideas about what I could do to improve my spiritual progression.
If you’re looking for a good memoir give this book a try. I listened to the book on my ipod. The author read the book. I loved the experience of listeing to her tell her own story.
More Thoughts About Books
Since I posted on Monday, I’ve spent too much time tweaking the code on that post. After totally messing up the flow of the page, I’m back where I started. The phrase “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.” should be my motto. I guess I learn the hard way. (sigh)
Tweaking the code gave my ample time to read that list of books. I really like books. It is a form of escape to world outside my own. This is especially important when going back in time. I may be able to travel to distance places, but I haven’t figured out time travel, at least not yet. Anyways, books make me feel more intelligent. In reality the more I read, the less I know, because there is so much out there. None the less, I’m not discourage by everything that I have yet to read.
However, I do need a better list of books I want to read. So I’m starting a list. On the top of the blog, you can see the tab called, “Books to Read.” That’s is my official list. When I finished a book, I’ll add to the tab called “Books I’ve Read.” If I’m really ambitious, I’ll write about the book when I finish it. That will be a regular blog post. If I’m really, really ambitious, I’ll link the book title on the “Books I’ve Read” tab to the blog entry. (By the way, the list on “Books I’ve Read” is much longer than I thought it was. I can thank book club for pushing me long.)
I think this sounds like a good idea. Now it is time to get to work.
