Book: The Help

I am getting back into the reading groove.   Usually when I read, that’s all I do on my free time (usually when C is asleep or playing on her own).  So, I had stopped reading any books for a few months so I could get some other things done.   But, I’m back into reading again.

I usually look at Amazon’s bestseller top 100 list for ideas of books.  I had seen The Help by Kathryn Stockett and downloaded a sample to my Kindle.  Finally got around to reading the sample this morning.  It seems promising.   I can actually picture the characters in their Southern homes as I’m reading – in the first few pages, I already like one of the main characters.  

I’ll know in a week or so if I agree with the 900+ Amazon customers who gave the book 5 stars….

Starting A New Book

I finished reading Breaking Dawn, the fourth (last) book in the Twilight series.   It is my favorite book of the series.   While the events seem a little farfetched, I thought that it was a good read and unpredictable at times.     It seemed that Bella (the heroine) in the book finally became less selfish and dependent. 

Overall, I probably would not have read any of the Twilight books if there wasn’t the hype surrounding them.  But, they were all easy to read and did leave me wanting to read more. 

S was brave enough to recommend another book to me!    He has recommended two so far this year, one of which I didn’t like and the other one I could not finish!     The book S thought I’d enjoy is The Thirteenth Tale.   I just started it the other day and only a few pages in.   I love reading books which span generations and family.   I believe S said that this book has that.   We’ll see if I will finish it   

I often browse Amazon’s bestseller book list for ideas of books to read.  It seems like a lot of books on there are non-fiction.  I prefer fiction.   I have several books queued up.  I guess it depends on my mood on what I want to read.

I Am Hooked

I finished Twilight in a few days.  I’m now onto New Moon.   Both by Stephenie Meyer.  There are two more books in the series, I believe.

The books are an easy read.   I don’t think too highly of the heroine though.  She seems too dependent, but for some reason, the plot is addicting to me to see what happens next to her and to the people around her.   I find the background story on the vampires to be interesting even though it’s only a small part of the book(s). 

Well, I’m off to go read now since C is asleep!

A New Book to Try

I had a lull in my reading over the past few months. “What is the What” is about halfway done, sitting on my nightstand. The book is based on the life of one of the “Lost Boys” who was forced to leave his Sudan village to find freedom. Such hardships that were endured. For some reason that I cannot pinpoint, I haven’t been rushing to pick up the book to continue reading whenever I have a spare moment. I like the topic of the book, and it is easy to read. (S will say it is because he recommended the book to me!)

So, I am taking a break and moving to a completely different type of book from what I normally read: “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer. I had read blog postings and magazine articles about this series of books so I wanted to see what the hype was about. (This is how I got into Harry Potter. I started to read it a few years after everyone raved about the series.).

I am 1/4 of the way done. And, I want to read more each day. Hmm. Let’s see if I will return to “What is the What” afterwards. I hope I do!

What’s On Your Nightstand – July

A few months ago, I read an excellent book called Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10.   

I have always been interested in Navy Seals.  I have no idea why.  The book is a true story told by the survivor of a Navy Seal team in Afghanistan.  The book describes the training that a Navy Seal must go through.  Talk about intense!   It’s a riveting book – you follow them from training to their deployment.  You get insight into their thoughts and actions and how they operate.    The courage of this Navy Seal team is incredible.

Take a look at the description at the above link and happy reading!

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5 Minutes for Books is a site I recently discovered and have enjoyed reading.  They started a “What’s On Your Nightstand?” category for sharing what folks are reading or have read.  I thought I’d participate this month now that I’m reading much more than I have in a while.   You can read other people’s postings for “What’s On Your Nightstand” for July here.

Book: The Ten-Year Nap

I finished reading The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer.  My husband had seen this book on Amazon, and thought I’d be interested in it.   It’s about 4 friends who left their jobs for motherhood.   Ah, something I’m about to do and thought it’d be a good read.  

I couldn’t really get into the storyline or plot.  It seemed that each of the main characters had insecurities and never really wanted to stay at home in the first place.  After 10 years, they all questioned their choices, and they all had some issues with their husbands.  Each character with the exception of one did not like her life.  The book also jumped back and forth quite a bit.  And, once in a while, a short chapter popped up about one of the main character’s mother or father.  I couldn’t see the purpose of those chapters – they broke up the flow of the story for me.   It’s too bad that the book was not a “win” for me – it did get decent reviews on Amazon. 

Now, I’m off to look for another book to read.   I hope S will continue to let me know of books he thinks I may like