Rusty

So how's life?

I'm trying to get back in the groove with the pointless posts.  

And pretty much, I've got nothing.

Let's talk about books, shall we?

I'd love to know what you're reading.  

You know how reading goes in cycles?  Sometimes you can read several books in a week and then other times you can go months and not pick up a single book.

I've been in a reading cycle.

I think it is because of the cold.

Or my denial of reality.

Here's some of what I've read over the last few weeks...

Swope's Ridge is the sequel to Farraday Road.  Both are mysteries set in Arkansas.

I know.  Just what you've been waiting for.

They were good.  Just order both at the same time, because the first one leaves you hanging big time.

I'm just about finished reading The Power of Half.  I've really enjoyed it.  I'm sure you have seen this family on T.V....they sold their million dollar home in order to give half of the proceeds to fight hunger in Africa.  It has really caused me to think about what we really need and different ways that we can give to others.

I really loved Screen Play.  When I thought the story was winding down, I was only halfway through the book.  There is definitely a turn that takes the book in a different direction and I loved it.

I think I've mentioned my love of this series.   It is kind of embarrassing.  I mean, really?  Football hero whose side gig is special ops?  Whatever.  I like them.

I've saved the best for last.  I've been doing this study of Ruth.  It is amazing.  I enjoyed one other study by this author and hoped this would be good, too.   To be totally honest, I just thought the cover was super cute.  When I chose the book, our situation with La P was moving forward and things were looking positive.  Within a week of beginning the study, everything fell apart.  Note the words on the front of the book...loss, love & legacy.  God has taught me so much through this book.  If you are looking for a great way to get in God's word, get this book.

Now then.

I really do want to know what you are reading.  I'm about to start this, but need to have a few things on standby.  

And because y'all are nice and my posts may be lame for a while, I'm going to give one of you a $25 Amazon gift card.  

Leave one comment telling me a book you've liked or one you want to read.  The random number generator and I will pick a winner sometime Wednesday evening. Make sure I can get in touch with you and all that.

Y'all rock.  

Comments

[Lauren J]

I read The Help in November (Kathryn Stockett), and it was amazing. One of the best novels I have read in the past three years, possibly the best.

[Rachel]

I'm reading David McCullough's The Great Bridge, about the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. Completely fascinating!

[Rachel]

Just finished "Still Alice" - it was terrific, a must-read. Just make sure you have a pile of tissues next to you. Great book.

[Heather]

Okay both The Power Half and the study of Ruth look awesome! Thanks for the heads up...I loved The Time Traveler's Wife and I'm almost done with Rev Run's nonfiction book on parenting (seriously! it's really good)!!

[Amy]

I also loved The Help, but also read another great read called The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf. I am pretty sure I have never read a better titled book in my life!
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will not disappoint!!!! Maybe I should wish for a cold to have a little more reading time =) Enjoy

[Mim]

I want to start reading two different series of books: 1. The Ladies #1 Detecive Agency-http://www.amazon.com/No-Ladies-Detective-Agency-Book/dp/1400034779

2. Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books 1-9--http://www.amazon.com/Sookie-Stackhouse-Books-Charlaine-Harris/dp/0441017770/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266326142&sr=1-1

I'm really not a vampire fan, back in the 90's I tried reading Ann Rice and started having nightmares. But I've heard these books are a great quick read and funny. I have read the Twilight books and they were captivating but disturbing to me all at the same time.

Mostly I'm knitting, I read every night to my 9 yr old son. We just started Harry Potter book 3.

[Shara]

I tried reading Wicked but just could not get into it. I'm about to start the Million Dollar Mysteries series by Mindy Starns Clark. I'm writing down the good ones you recommended, too. Thanks!

[angela]

I've read a few, Superfreakonomics was great but not as good as freakonomics, Nikki Heat based off of Castle the tv show was good too. I'm reading Inkspell now. Oh, the Duggars book was good and I learned a few things from there. I'm glad you're back and we'll keep praying for you!

[Amy]

I just finished rereading The Lovely Bones and Lucky by Alice Sebold. Both are very well written, and just pull you in, even if they aren't as "feel good" as the books I normally read.

But I love, love, love anything by Mary Kay Andrews. She has never disappointed me!

[Beachy Mimi]

I am in an "Olympics Trance" and therefore cannot read for two weeks. However, I have The Help on my kindle to read as I come down from the Olympic High. Thanks for all the recommendations. I also love the Jason Elam series.

[Stefani]

Okay. So I have to admit I am a nerd. I haven't read a fiction book in a long time. Lately I've been enamored with all things food related. I recently read In Defense of Food and most of The Omnivore's Dilemma, both by Michael Pollan. If you are at all interested where our food comes from, they are excellent reads.
You're inspiring me to go grab a feel good novel and jump in. :)

[kristenkj]

Well let's see...I read a scooby doo mystery last night with Henry, and I read Pete's a Pizza with Ella. :) I have the Kite Runner waiting for me. I know, it's old. I'm just playing catch up with the reading. I just finished Love You To Pieces, which is a collection of terribly depressing essays and poems about raising a child with disabilities. I did not know I would hate it when I ordered it. I do not recommend it.

I was not helpful at all, was I. Sorry.

[Kim]

I agree with another poster that the two I am gonna read next are The Power of Half and the study of Ruth. Thanks for the ideas as I am always looking for new books and authors to read.

[Jamie B]

I am reading Francine Rivers Legacy of Grace and it is so good! I think The Power of Half will be my next book. :)

[Tiffani]

I'm reading The Postmistress right now and I'm really liking it. You should definitely read The Help and I'm excited you're starting Guernsey...one of my all time faves!

[Mary B]

I finished "Chasing Fireflies" by Charles Martin a week ago. It was fantastic!

[Tammy]

Well, I'm still not a reader....but I am reading the Bible one chapter at a time. That does count! :-)

[britta]

i would like to read the "dear john" book

[Robin M.]

I just finished The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. (It takes me a few years after a book comes out to read it). If you haven't read it, it is really an amazing true story of her childhood. The language is bad, but that's how her father talked so it is what it is.

[jen]

I just went and got "Who Do I Lean On" by Neta Jackson (I read the Yada Yada series first, which were AWESOME! And then "Who Do I Talk To"). I'm seriously saving it. I don't want to read it and then have to wait for her third book in this series to come out in June or July. I don't like to wait! :O)

I've been thinking about you a lot! Glad you're back! Keep your chin up to the heavens! :o)

[Beth G]

I want to read The Memory Keeper's Daughter. I hear it's really good!

[Mrs. Oh]

I am finally back on track after not reading for monthhhhsssss. I am trying to read books I should have but just never did. I finished up Sense & Sensibility - which I loved and now I am reading Lord of the Flies!

And to Beth: Read Memory Keeper's - it is pretty good, if you want I can mail you my copy - just drop me a line.

[frantically heidi]

I just read Alice I Have Been - the fictionalized (but well researched) story of Alice Liddel, the inspiration of Lewis Carol's Alice in Wonderland.
Riveting.

[Shelia Bowman]

So glad to see you getting back in your groove. Or at least trying. Been thinking about you a lot.

I agree with another poster about Million Dollar Mysteries series by Mindy Starns Clark. She also has another series (the name escapes me) about a lady who does a household tips column named Tips from Tulip that I really enjoyed. I liked these so much that when my library didn't have the last two or three, I bought them, read them, and then donated them to the library being sure to let them know it was the end of the series.

They aren't deep and won't change your life dramatically but it made me smile to read them. And sometimes you need that. :)

[Amy]

I'm not reading anything right now but I do want to read Eat, Pray, Love. I don't even know what it's about but I have heard all the hype and I like the cover....I'm kinda weird like that and pick books by their cover. Just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in my prayers right now.