Do you remember the library book reading plan I unveiled last month?
150 items checked out for six weeks?
I’ve had to lower my expectations–which means that this box of books is being returned to the library today…
unread.
I still did get a bit of reading done though:
The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
I’ve never reviewed anything by Wodehouse for bekahcubed–mostly because I’ve been inclined to believe that everyone already knows about him and about Jeeves and Wooster and that I was the last person on the planet to discover just how delightful this author and his characters are. But perhaps there is someone like me a year ago, who had never been introduced. Wodehouse is a fantastic comedic writer, with tales of hilarious capers that have the advantage of being CLEAN.
Munich Signature and Danzig Passage by Bodie Thoene
My sister LOVED the Zion Chronicles when we were teenagers. I’m not sure if I ever even tried to read one–but I was sure I wouldn’t be interested. They were too full of history, too wrapped up with music, too…too…Anna. My sister clearly had better taste in books than I did. I started reading the first in this series when I was restlessly looking for something to read at my folks’ house in between grading endless finals at the end of the last semester–and have been hopelessly hooked. These are some of the most engaging novels I have ever read. Set on the cusp of the second World War, they follow a small group of Jewish musicians from country to country as the nations of the world fall to Hitler’s insanity.
Much Ado about Anne by Heather Vogel Frederick
I read this one as part of Carrie’s L.M. Montgomery Reading Challenge–and thoroughly enjoyed reading about a book club reading Anne of Green Gables (how’s that for a mouthful?) Check out my review for further details.
The Science of Sexy by Bradley Bayou
Um, yeah. Don’t really know how much more I can say about this book than what I already wrote here. Follow the link if you want to hear about how my family (Mom, sister, brothers, and Dad) reviewed this book on fashion/style together.
28 Children’s Picture Books author name BARANSKI-BARKLEM
Picture books are always a mix of delights and duds. I sorta reviewed Lynne Barasch’s A Country Schoolhouse, which I enjoyed quite a deal. But my absolute favorite find in this batch is the group I haven’t reviewed yet–a collection of books by Jill Barklem about the animals that inhabit “Brambly Hedge”. The stories–and the art–remind me of Beatrix Potter with a little bit of The Hobbit thrown in. Absolutely delightful (but I’m sure I’ll be writing about these more in depth later!)
4 children’s nonfiction books about Massachusetts
And I still don’t know how to spell it. Someday, I’m going to remember that there’s a double s, then a single s, then a double t, then a single s. Only ONE set of double s’s, bekahcubed! Get it? (Can anybody guess how often I’ve given myself that speech?)
Ask me Anything a Dorling-Kindersley book
One of my favorites of the whole bunch–I’ve checked it out something like five times already and still haven’t gotten all the way through it. It’s 300 BIG pages filled with interesting factoids about absolutely everything. Info-holic that I am, I can’t abide to just skim it–I wanted to read the whole thing. (I read to page 240 and skimmed the rest.) Most of the sections are absolutely amazing–but readers must be forewarned that the section on dinosaurs is a load of evolutionary hooey (despite the fact that there’s plenty to be explored about dinosaurs without reference to evolution, this book chose to make the ENTIRE discussion of dinosaurs about evolution). Anyhow, I still enjoyed this book fully, learning about everything from super-fast cars to g-forces to how Venus flytraps catch flies.
Two cookbooks
I’m going to rave about both of these sometime in the next couple of months, but The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond and Quick Cooking for Two by Sunset magazine were both winners by my book. I’ve gotten rave reviews and had more fun cooking from these two books than I have from any in years! Definitely worth picking up.
Course, even after taking back a bunch unread, I still have two weeks with what’s left–and there’s plenty left!
I’m gonna focus first, though, on finishing up what’s currently in progress:
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
- Bright-sided : how the relentless promotion of positive thinking has undermined America by Barbara Ehrenreich
- Composting by Liz Ball
- Confessions by St. Augustine
- The Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister and Phyllis Tickle
- The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
- The woman’s fix-it car care book by Karen Valenti
Don’t forget to drop by 5 Minutes 4 Books to see what others are reading this month!
Ah, expectations! I read your WiW post yesterday, but I didn’t comment. I know what you mean, especially when it comes to reading! :-)
I LOVE the Thoenes. In fact, I’ve reviewed quite a few of their books on my blog. If you like Biblical fiction, you’ll LOVE the AD Chronicles. If you don’t like it, well, then you probably won’t. :-)
You still did a whole lot of reading! Congratulations!
I’m glad you liked the Thoene books; I read them when I was younger, and finally reread them a few years ago. They are completely engrossing to me, making me literally feel sick or jubilant or crying or whatever. Plus, they make that period of history come alive in vibrant ways.
Second, “Brambly Hedge” – yes, isn’t it great?! :)
I thought about you the other day when I confirmed with our librarian that our library has NO limit on how many books can be checked out at a time. There is a limit on movies, CDs, etc. but not on books. Don’t you wanna move here? ;-)
I always feel like such a slacker when I see your Nightstand posts!
I’ve never read any Wodehouse. Maybe it’s time.
Thanks for the inspiration!
I read Wodehouse for the first time ever last year. He was a lot of fun. I read Carry On, Jeeves, and there were a few minor objectionable elements in it.
I loved that series by Thoene years ago. For a while there I read everything by them that I could get my hands on.
Massachusetts is one of those words I have to check every time, too.
I’m going to look up Quick Cooking for Two — with my youngest son a teen-ager and often off on some activity, I’ve been needing to find some scaled-down recipes for my husband and I.
I started reading the Zion Chronicles. The Jerusalem Chronicles are also very good! LOVED them! I have never heard of Wodehouse! I will have to check him out. I always look forward to seeing what you are up to!
Wow, you really think big. Clean humour is nice to find, isn’t it? I read Wodehouse many years ago. I loved Confessions by St. Augustine, it’s time I read it again really. I look forward to your thoughts on it. And I bet there are some interesting recipes in the Women’s Pioneer cookbook. My Nightstand post is up. Happy reading in February.
Thank you for reminding me that the second Mother Daughter Bookclub book is about Anne! Now I have to read it as I liked the first book a lot and now I’m obsessed with Anne of Green Gables thanks to the L.M. Montgomery challenge! A lot of great books listed here, I just spent a good five to ten minutes searching for Wodehouse and Bodie Thoene on Amazon – happy reading!
I love your list! I need to check out the Bodie Thoene series, and I’m dying to get my hands on the Pioneer Woman’s cookbook! I read Pursuit of Holiness recently…it’s on my “to review” shelf. I really like Jerry Bridges.
The woman’s fix-it car care book sounds like a good book to read.
I LOVE Wodehouse and it’s been too long since I’ve gotten a dose of him. Lots of people have yet to hear about or experience him so I’m glad you gave him a mention. =) We must carry on!
You’re not the last person to know all about Wodehouse. I’ve heard of him, but never read a thing. I love DK books but, oh my, they’re SO FULL of info that I usually end up skimming them. Ask Me Anything sounds like a great one.
I’ll look forward to hearing what you think about Bright-sided. I haven’t heard of that, but sounds intriguing.
I read the Zion Chronicles years and years ago (and the series that went before or after? Can’t remember what it was called?) and loved them!
I’m thinking of reading The Pursuit of Holiness next; I just finished Ryle’s Holiness so it might be a good follow up.
You read some great books last month! I love Wodehouse and the Zion Chronicles. Last year, I read Much Ado About Anne and the sequels and really enjoyed them.
I’ve never read Wodehouse though I have heard of him. Ask Me Anything sounds really interesting. Your book lists always blow me away!
Nancy@5minutesforbooks.com
I’ll be anxious to hear your thoughts on the positivity book – I’ve read about it and been curious. And like you, I love DK books. Wonderful for kids (and curious adults!)
Re. your comment at my place – my word, with your huge stack, you certainly *are* allowed a “to think about” category :)