FInishing up my July reading list....

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson / A / ****

E2 purchased this book for me for my birthday.  It had a wonderful Jane Austen flair.  It had a totally predictable story line but I found it so absolutely delightful.  It was one of those sweet books that you finished reading and went "OHHHHHHHH wasn't that LOVERLY???". I recommend this book.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho / A / **1/2

E2 read this book for her English class this past year. It is an international best seller as it puts in story form the idea that we all have a purpose in life that the universe will help us fulfill if we open ourselves to the possibilities.  I don't know why this kind of follow-your-dreams feel-good book doesn't appeal to me. Probably because my purpose in life as dictated by the universe will not be something wonderful like proving that money CAN buy happiness.

Legend by Marie Lu / YA / **1/2

This book is one that was recommend by people who live "Matched", "Insurgent", and "Hunger Games".  The United States has been split into two governments.  Only the wealthy government elite are given access to vaccines.  The story starts with the main character, Day, trying to steal an antidote for his sick brother from a government hospital.  In the mayhem that ensues he is accused of killing a prominent military officer. The officer's sister is a child prodigy that has completed training while only 15. Her first assignment is to avenge her brother.  She goes under-cover to find Day and experiences the typical story line of finding out the government is not all it seems and that Day may really be the good guy.  It was just okay but I will still read the sequel.

The Paris Wife: A Novel by Paula McLain / A / ****

This novel tells the story of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley.  It tells of their whirlwind courtship and marriage in America and their early years living as ex-patriots in Paris.  Hemingway was working to refine his talent and find his voice.  It tells of the effect World War I had on him.  It tells of his ambition and how those who knew him best suffered the most for his greatness.  

I love Hemingway and his writing and it was interesting to hear how some of his experiences in Paris and Spain became part of his future stories.  He was a conflicted man with a lot of demons.  This book shares them without vilifying him but also without making excuses for him.  Hadley is portrayed as having full awareness of his flaws and utter "brokenness" but loving him anyway.

I knew that Hemingway had four wives, so I knew the story would end badly.  But the novel was beautifully written and was wrapped up in a way that was very satisfying.  I am thinking of choosing this for my book group choice next year.

A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 5) by George R.R. Martin / A / ****

 Remind me not to ever start a series unless they are all written. The first book in this series was written in 2003 and there are at least two more. I hate waiting.  

The books are so detailed that half the time I don't remember who the author is talking about.  Many of the original characters have now been killed off.  Each previous book has felt like it was spiraling down to a conclusion, but this book seemed to jump track entirely and opened up many other avenues of possible resolution.  Each book is over 1,000 pages so it's amazing this author still has so much to say.

I have proof my husband adores me.  

I'm serious.  I really do.

I'm not talking about the fact that he cleans two of the four bathrooms every.single.week and cooks the majority of our meals (I love he does this but lets face it... he realizes that if he doesn't do it it just ain't getting done. One of my many talents is my complete and total mastery of the "blank look" when someone asks me what is for dinner).

I'm not talking about the fact that when I'm seriously mad like "mad enough to dump your clothes in a big pile and burn them" mad, I give him the MEANEST looks. Any human being on this planet and probably the majority of the members of the chimpanzee kingdom could understand the "I can make your life miserable in a million ways chump so you better toe the line" look in my eye.  Except Darren.  He seriously EVERY TIME says "WHY ARE YOU GIVING ME BEDROOM EYES?".    AND HE MEANS IT...  after twenty years I really honestly think he still doesn't get it.

I'm not even talking about the fact that he will never get a yard without weeds because I am constantly booking trips to places we can't afford instead of installing a sprinkling system.  My poor husband has to drag sprinkler in the back yard.  And he's not great at it. In fact last week Grandpa Taylor was lighting off fireworks for E2's birthday in our backyard and the grass literally CAUGHT ON FIRE.  What did I do about it? I booked a trip to Disneyland for a week in April people.  

My proof is the fact that he taught Primary with me today.

And not just any primary class...

The SUNBEAM class.

We're talking thirteen three year old's that have just been released from sitting for an hour and a half in sacrament meeting and can't even be bribed with sugar because how else do you think their parents made it through the last 90 minutes?  Sunbeams are wiggly. They are sticky. They have a tendency to eat their boogers, run into the wrong bathroom, fall off their chairs, and store things in their underwear (True story. My best advice to you is never EVER use the crayons from the church library. Bring your own from home people. I'm saying this out of pure love for my fellow man).

When the Primary Counselor called last week and asked if I'd do it she warned me that this was a wild group and that I either needed to bring Darren with me or be prepared to be tied up, gagged, and unable to reach the suggested emergency walkie-talkie.  She did indicate that pepper-spray or a taser may be a tempting option but that it could easily be seized and used against me.  She also warned me that they are like lemings and move in mass, suggesting I stay away from high cliffs, busy roads, and the bishop who is known to keep treats in his pockets. 

The hour of class time with the Sunbeams isn't the worst part.  At least then you can barricade them all in one room and feed them benadryl and play ring-around-the-rosie 500 times.  It is the hour of singing time that makes you think that Peter really would have shown his faith if he would have been able to positively direct thirteen children for an hour rather than walking on water.

Darren very early in our marriage figured that if he consistently washed the red laundry with the white laundry he would be forever banned from touching the washing machine.  He uses this same thought process when it comes to church callings. He has no problem losing kids in the next Ward's sacrament meeting, building forts out of the tables and chairs, and leading indian-style raids on the nursery snack closet.  In his mind it just serves as a reminder to the Primary President that he should NEVER be called to teach Primary.
 
Spending two hours with me and thirteen little cherubs is a true labor of love especially considering the fact that Darren likes to use the third hour of church to visit the gas station for some liquid refreshment.  It is a known fact that church makes Darren both tired AND thirsty.  Our wise Elder's Quorum president finally assigned Darren to be the home teacher to a non-active member that works at Texaco on Sundays.  At least the President can report that not only did Trudie get visited this month, but she was checked on FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES.



So yes my husband loves me. He only did it because I asked him too (and because I gave him some mean looks he just couldn't resist).

He got a caffeine headache and the shakes but he did it. 

AND he's still making my dinner.

BEACH BAG READS

 

 As most of you know, Darren and I are going on a cruise in October to celebrate 20 years of wedded bliss.

We've been lucky enough to go before, and I've learned a few things.  Half the fun is preparation for the trip, and I spend literally hours scouring websites to gather information about each port.  I download maps, print bus schedules, and read on-line reviews.  

I also try to prepare physically.  I'm working on my base tan and walking in the mornings. 

I am starting to make packing lists and purchasing things I know we'll need such as extra sunscreen, new and fun card games, great flip flops, darling beach-wear, etc.  I've bought an awesome pop-up shelter for the beach and am thinking about getting this totally unnecessary snorkeling raft.

Sea Window Atlantis snorkeling raft

The biggest preparation I've made was purchasing a Kindle.  I've mentioned this before but during our last cruise my entire carry-on was novels.  I lugged probably 50 pounds of books through four airports and six  countries and still ended up scouring the ship library and purchasing paperbacks at the airport.   I remember driving home to Richfield after our trip. My left shoulder was inflamed and I couldn't move my head or neck. I remember being in so much pain I could hardly sit for the ride home.  I kept chanting Dr Rose's name (my chiropractor who is seriously a miracle man) under my breath like a mantra to keep from crying. 

ANYWHO.... this trip is the main reason why I purchased a Kindle.  We are going for over two weeks and there is no way I can haul enough reading material to keep me satisfied.  

I read so much that I really cannot afford to buy as many books per year as I read. I have found a few sources for "free" books on the internet but honestly there is usually a reason they are free. My  best find has been the pioneer.utah.gov website. If you have a Richfield Library card (or a card from many many other libraries in Utah) you can download for free up to five books at a time and keep them for up to three weeks each. The collection includes new best sellers and other great classics.   Because I can only check out five books at a time, this will not meet my needs for October.   So, I've been planning ahead and purchasing books now, about one per month. 

Many of my books come from recommendations from my friend Ker-Bear.  I eagerly anticipate her emailing me her list of books she's read in the previous month.  Her narrative is HYSTERICAL. We like different types of books (she likes biographies and real-crime and I prefer young adult and dystopian fiction).  But we both read around the block a bit and when she says a book is well-written, I totally trust her judgement.

It is killing me not to read any of the books I've bought to save.... but SO FAR I've resisted temptation.

Here is my CRUISE BOOK BAG of books I can't wait to read while soaking in the sun sipping a Strawberry Daquiri...

The Complete Harry Potter Collection by Rowling, J.K.  

** THANKS SISTER FOR MAKING MY BIRTHDAY DREAMS COME TRUE ***

I'll Be Seeing You by Hayes, Suzanne and Nyhan, Loretta

Reconstructing Amelia: A Novel by McCreight, Kimberly  

Eleanor & Park by Rowell, Rainbow 

The Next Thing on My List: A Novel by Smolinski, Jill

Peter and the Starcatchers by Pearson, Ridley, Barry, Dave and Greg Cal

Safe Haven by Sparks, Nicholas 

I would LOVE to hear any recommendations you have for other books you think I would enjoy.

 
As a side note... things have changed since Darren and I started "cruising" in 2006. The deck is always full of people reading.  In 2006 and 2008 I would walk the promenade and secretively check out the titles of whatever books people were reading, with the intent to look them up later for future reading material. Starting in 2009 more and more people began using electronic reading devices to the point that during our last trip in 2011 I had to resort to actually stopping and ASKING people what they were reading and being all friendly and conversational and such.  Which is time consuming... The world is definitely changing.

HOW TO GET WHITE BASEBALL PANTS CLEAN

They say the clothes make the man, and that is never more true with All-Star baseball.

N had such a great regular season in baseball that he decided to try out for a much-coveted spot on the "All-Star" team.  Each summer each town with a Babe Ruth / Cal Ripken league picks 12 players for each age group to form an "A" team.  They also make a team of 9 and 10 year old's to form a combined age "B" team. 

N was so thrilled to earn a spot on the 9-10 year old "B" team.  I was worried he would be disappointed but he was so excited.  This ended up being the perfect place for him, as he was able to get a LOT of playing time... much more than if he had made the "A" team (on a biased mom side note he really was qualified to play on the A team and in my opinion was not chosen simply because the coaches do the choosing and they picked their own kids).

The regular season went for eight weeks, in which we played 16 games (2 per week) with about 16 hours of practice time.

The All-Star season just wrapped up.  We played for four weeks, and in that time N played another 12 games with about 20 hours of practice time.

Baseball is pretty big in our town.  For example in N's regular league for 9-10 year old's there were 8 teams with 12 kids each.  Considering E1's graduating class was around 100, this is a pretty high participation rate. 

All the different ages of All-Star teams got new matching royal blue red jerseys with big red satin numbers, and matching caps.  We also received a pair of the coveted "All-Star" pants (white pants with a royal stripe down the side).  During the regular season it is kind of an un-written rule that you DO NOT wear white pants to play baseball in unless you had been on an All-Star team in previous years.  It is kind of a status-symbol with the boys.

N has been pretty thrilled with his new uniform, and I have to admit that we played a lot of ball this summer and their team always looked the most sharp.  N has worn his base-ball cap with pride nearly EVERYWHERE we go.  People around town have been really cute and will say things like, "Is that an All-Star cap you are wearing? You must be a pretty good player!"  It has been part of the fun.  I told Darren the cost of the extra league play was worth it right there to see how proudly he wears his hat.

N played HARD this year.  He had a lot of highs and lows. They got beat a lot.  But he got out of it what we wanted.... some summer fun and a crazy increase in his baseball skills.

As you can imagine, white pants may look cool but can be a challenge to maintain, especially with the red dirk Richfield keeps on it's ball fields.   And for someone as OCD as me it will not even surprise you to know that many Friday nights I was up until 1 in the morning washing pants to be worn again the next morning.

 

Below are some of the products/methods I tried for the sake of science. 

For each method I would wash the pants using the HOT WATER setting.
I would check the pants after the wash cycle was over (but before the rinse cycle began) and usually drain the tub and wash them again a second time in hot water simply because the original water was totally red and muddy by then.

I also always used generous amounts of TIDE CLEAN BREEZE powder detergent as that is the only detergent I will use. I did not use a fabric softener.

I also need to note that at NO TIME did I ever dry the pants in the dryer.  After washing they were clipped to a skirt hanger and put outside to air-dry.

1) AMMONIA

 

I learned this method from another mom on the team.
She indicated she simply filled her kitchen sink with just enough hot water to cover the pants, then added generous amounts of Ammonia.  After soaking, wash in the washing machine.

I did as she instructed and left the pants to soak over-night.
When I went to lift them out of the sink to put in the washing-machine, the pants looked BRAND NEW with zero scrubbing (even the grass stains were gone). I of coarse still washed the pants in the washing machine and they came out looking great.

I tried it again a second time, with the pants pictured in the photo above. I soaked the pants for a few hours, and this time the stains did not magically disappear. I tossed them in the washer and washed them with TIDE. I checked them after the first wash cycle and they still looked like this:

 I ended up scrubbing the stains with a toothbrush and extra detergent to get them clean.

RESULTS:
As you can see, my results were mixed on the ammonia method.
This is probably the cheapest method, as ammonia is so inexpensive.  I believe the secret here is allowing the item to soak over-night.

2).  SHOUT SPRAY

I keep SHOUT on hand, so I tried this method next.  I literally soaked the pants with the product and threw them in the washer immediately. I checked them after the first wash, and sprayed some of the areas on the hem a little more, rubbing the cloth against each other to get the spray in.

RESULTS:
They came out PERFECTLY clean. They really looked brand new again.  I've used SHOUT several times now, and have found if you let the product stand on the pants for a few hours it works even better.

3. OXI-CLEAN

 

I purchased this OXI-CLEAN Gel Stick specifically for the sake of experimentation.

I laid the pants out and rubbed the gel all over each stain.

It was super-messy and ended up using nearly half the bottle to treat all the areas.  I ended up having to mop my bathroom floor as it was all gooey and sticky.

The instructions said to allow the gel to soak into the material for at least ten minute or overnight. I left the product on over-night.

RESULTS:

When I checked them after the first wash cycle, they were nearly clean but like the SHOUT method there was some lingering red dirt on the hems of the pants.  I rubbed more gel in and tried again. 

After a second wash there was still red dirt. I ended up using the SHOUT spray and washing them a third time to get them spotless.

NOTE:
Another mom told me about the product IRON OUT. She swears by it.  She said it is not in the laundry section but usually more often in the carpet chemicals section of the super-market.  I looked for this product and could never find it. I imagine it would be good in areas like Richfield that have a lot of red dirt.  I will admit that when she first said IRON OUT I was thinking it was something I would have to put on the pants and then use the IRON to get it to work. I hate ironing. Like more than anything.  Luckily she set me straight.

FINAL RESULTS:
While the ammonia is likely the least expensive method, the SHOUT spray provided the easiest, most convenient, most effective method of cleaning the pants.  I've been using that method exclusively since finishing the experiment.  I still check the pants after the first wash cycle, and sometimes have to get out the old trusty toothbrush to scrub out some of the problem spots.  But I can honestly tell you that his pants after 12 games still look BRAND NEW... and ready for him to wear during the regular season next year in full swagger mode.

Over the hill but picking up speed....

I seriously can't believe I am forty.

It is kinda disturbing.  

I do admit that turning 40 was a lot easier for me to deal with than turning 30.  Thirty was really really rough.  The past 5 years my body has pretty much betrayed me so I am already feeling kinda old and run down and well...  FORTY.

I made Darren PROMISE he wouldn't do anything crazy for my birthday.  I have had the same birthday tradition since 2005 wherein I have family and friends over for dinner.  I look forward to it all year.  Plus, I DO NOT like surprises. Like AT ALL.  It's part of my control freak personality.

I got the idea of throwing my own birthday party from my mother-in-law Eldeane. She has a BBQ every year that you had better show up to.  It is always fun.  I decided the best way to spend my birthday how I want is to plan my own party (insert repeat sentence from above about being a control-freak here).

Some years are bigger (last year we served almost 70) and some years are smaller (like this year when we had about 20 people).  But it is always after the Children's parade and we always serve Cafe Rio salads and frozen lemon creme dessert.

Brian and Sharmi invited me out to lunch for my birthday.
Imagine my surprise when I went outside to leave and saw this in front of my house.

 
 I gave Darren a huge sucker punch on his arm. He swears he was not involved as I had made him promise.  Brian later told me that while Darren had promised to not do anything for my birthday, he personally had made no such promise.

If you look closely at the sign on the car, it says HONK FOR SONJA SHEFFER. 

We live on a fairly busy street and so all day we heard honking. Every time I heard a honk, I have to admit I grinned.

When I went to the Children's parade that night I had a LOT of people wish me Happy Birthday and tell me that they had "honked" for me.  It made my birthday a LOT of fun.

Sharmi traditionally makes a tombstone cake for any of our friends turning 40.  She knows I would pretty much do anything to get to eat one of her famous sugar cookies so instead of a cake, she made me a GIANT cookie.  The "Poor Sonja... Poor Poor Sonja" phrase is an inside joke from a game called "WHAT-IF" that we play frequently.


*

My birthday was great.  I am getting old, but that is okay.  I am also getting more and more sentimental like my dad, which is okay, too.  I was in the grocery store the morning of my birthday picking up some last minute items. I was thinking about my upcoming dinner and the people that would be there and what I had to look forward too and right there in the produce section I just felt so perfectly, overwhelmingly HAPPY. I shed a few tears... and said a little prayer of thanks as I picked out grapes.  I truly am blessed.

JULY BOOK LIST

The Girl Who Came Home: A Titanic Novel by Hazel Gaynor (Mar 11, 2012)

I chose this book as it is a Titanic novel. I remember being at my Grandma Taylor's house in Moab when I was a child and finding a National Geographic issue she had about the ship.  I was instantly hooked.  The story provides such a heart-wrenching feeling of  "if - only".

This book received 4 1/2 stars on Amazon but I only gave it two.  It tells the story of an orphaned Irish young woman leaving her home and first love to travel to America with her Aunt.  They travel on the Titanic with others from the village, and the girl is the only survivor.  The problem I had with the book is that the telling of the girls story on the ship didn't add anything new or fresh. In fact several of the scenes written sounded suspiciously like descriptions of scenes from James Cameron's film Titanic.

The other problem I had with this book is that all of a sudden the story jumped to present time. Our Titanic survivor is in her 80's and has never told her family about her past experiences. She decides to tell the story to her granddaughter to help her write a great story which will win her acceptance back into college after dropping out years previously.Skip this one.

The Giver  by Lois Lowry / YA / ****

This is a re-read for me.  I am not sure, but this may be the first truly 'dystopian' novel I ever read.  It was either this one or "The City of Ember".  Anyway, this book is beautifully written and has all the classic themes of a society that has put so many rules in place for the protection of the health and happiness of it's citizens that there is no longer any choice or freedom. It shows the beautiful serene everyday life of a community that is hiding horrors below the surface. Using simple language it describes a whole world.

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry (2002)  / YA / ***1/2

This is the second book in the "Giver Quartet".  Until I read the third book, "The Messenger", I was not sure how it tied with "The Giver".  It tells the story of a crippled orphan named Kira who lives in a dirty, deprived village that is the opposite of the village in "The Giver"... where people are cruel, selfish, and unaccepting.  They do have freedom but use it only in ways to benefit themselves. Kira fights first for her life, and then to make things better.

Messenger by Lois Lowry / YA / ***1/2

Another great story about a young person trying to make a difference. This book continues the story of Matty, the ragged urchin introduced in "Gathering Blue".  He has been living in the place of refuge found in the previous novel... a place where those fleeing persecution and poverty go to find safety and acceptance. The leader of this village is the boy from the first book, "The Giver", and he encourages people to be accepting, kind, responsible, and free.    But there is a new darkness in the land which is making the people change. They have voted to close the Village to newcomers in need. Matty must travel back through the dangerous forest to kind Kira from "Gathering Blue" before the Village is closed.

This author is amazing. The writing style is so simple but invokes vivid imagery.  I can't wait to read the final book.

 Princess of the Midnight Ball (Twelve Dancing Princesses) by Jessica Day George / JF or YA / **

In my opinion an author should never re-write a fairy tale unless they have something new to offer to the story. I distinctly remember reading "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" in my childhood from a big blue book of fairy tales from the library of Myton Elementary.  I returned to this story several times as I loved the idea of an enchanted land of silver and gold where the Princesses danced so long they wore out their slippers.

This book follows the Grimm version of the tale for the most part, but their was simply no magic in the telling. There was no character development.  The story was just flat and uninteresting. 

The Painted Girls: A Novel by Cathy Marie Buchanan / A / ***

This work of historical fiction focuses on the paintings of Degas and his ballerina girls. It takes the girl from his painting "The Dance Lesson" and his wax sculpture " Little Dancer aged Fourteen" and creates an imaginative story of her life inside and outside the ballet school.  

The story is one of poverty, destitution, and despair as well as hope and the resiliency of the human spirit.  Some sections of the book were light and joyful, others were dark and disturbing.  There were sections I quite enjoyed, especially those telling of the life in the classroom and the dream of the girls to be chosen to advance to the other levels. There were sections I did not like, as the story would be so detailed and then skip ahead years.  Ultimately I loved how it was a story of sisters and their bond with one another. 

The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott / A / ** 1/2

This is my second Titanic book this week, and it wasn't on purpose. I didn't realize this was a Titanic Novel.  It tells the story of an English servant girl named Tess who impulsively runs away from her unappreciative employer. She goes to the dock to see the launching of the great Titanic and  is hired last-minute by Lady Lucille Duff Gordan as a lady's maid. 

This story doesn't so much focus on the sinking of the Titanic (in fact I was only 11% in and the ship had already sunk) but rather the after-math. Apparently the Gordan's were in one of the many under-utilized lifeboats (there were 12 passengers in their boat which was made for sixty). The fact that Mr Gordan was rescued when he obviously was not a woman or a child was bad enough, but apparently Lord and Lady Gordan ordered the seaman with them to not go back and pick up survivors, and then paid bribes to several people to quiet down the story.  

I had not realized that after the Titanic disaster there were several government inquiries into the sinking and the way things were handled.  This book follows the story of this inquiries through the eyes of the maid Tess and her new friend in New York who happens to be a female reporter on the case.

The book was just so implausible... I know that America in those days was a total land of opportunity but I still can't believe that within a week our poor uneducated Tess was wandering New York on her own, designing dresses for Lady Gordan while also acting as her secretary, and being wooed by not one but two men, one of which was a millionaire.

So while I learned something new about the Titanic story, I would not recommend this book to anyone.

Mariana by Kearsley, Susanna / A / ****

Oh I liked this one.  I can see where it would be easy to pick it apart but I found the storyline enchanting, the characters engaging, and the love story fulfilling enough (it did have my pet peeve of people instantly falling madly in love to the point that their affection transcends time and I'm sorry that just bugs me).  The quote on the front of the book says, "Some Lives are Worth Reliving", and that my friends is a perfect synopsis.

The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary D Chapman / A / ***1/2

Okay people don't laugh.  It was my "free" book from Amazon Prime for June.  Several of my co-workers have taken the quizzes about what language they and their partners speak and have talked about it enough at work that I thought it would be interesting to know what they are talking about.  And what the author says TOTALLY makes sense.   I've even realized that the few disagreements and moments of contention in my own marriage could directly be related to speaking the different love languages. It really was worth reading.

RECENT BOOKS

Actually some of these were likely read in May but considering I can't even really remember what I read you just gotta work with me here people.

Girlchild: A Novel by Tupelo Hassman / A / ***

This novel tells the story of a family in poverty in Reno, NV. It  has the typical bombshell single mom that can't leave the men alone, the matriarchal grandmother, the no-good-dead-beat father, and the inexplicably bright-for-her-age little girl.  

This book was not as fascinating as "Glass Castle" but it held my interest as it explains some of the reasons why people in poverty do what they do.  There were areas of darkness which sadly felt just typical as it seems every author feels that people in poverty are all abused at some point.  It is an unfortunate stereotype.  I knew by the end I should be rooting for the girl, hating the mother, hating the grandmother, hating the neighbors, hating everything about their sad pathetic life but I just found myself kinda blah and numb.

The Tiger's Wife: A Novel by Téa Obreht / A / ***

This is one of those novels that when you are done you feel kinda unsatisfied and frankly a little stupid as you can sense there was probably some fantastic subtle meaning that went completely over your head.  It alternated telling the story about a young doctor on a journey to give vaccinations to children of a war-torn area in Europe and her grandfather in his days before he also became a doctor.  It has a very odd addition of a man that cannot die and a deaf-mute woman who was friends with a tiger. Very strange. Probably symbolic. Definitely over my head.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald / A / ***

I have read this book in the past during the years I read books in categories. This was under my "classics" section.  Due to the movie coming out, my friend Tami Smith chose this for her book group selection for June. I enjoyed it more this time, and we had a fascinating discussion about the language, the characters, the use of color in the book. It was a great evening and now I want to see the movie.

 

The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus, Book 1) by Rick Riordan / JF / ***

 This is a re-read for me as I wanted to remind myself of the story before I read the next two books in the series.  All my kiddo's love the Percy Jackson books and were happy Rick Riordan started this new series.  I've decided I must read books too fast as I'm always saying I liked the book better the second time.  It is true with this story as well.  It was enough different from the other books that I got absorbed into the new adventures.

The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus, Book 2) by Rick Riordan / JF / ***

In this book the story returns to Percy.  It was fun to see the combination of the Greek mythology from the first set of books with the Roman mythology introduced in this new series.  I liked the problem solving going on and the quirky characters.

 

The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus, Book 3) by Rick Riordan / JF / ***

I probably shouldn't have read all three books in a row like this because by the time I got to the end of this story I was skimming.  Rick Riordan stories are series of mini-adventures all involving some aspect of mythology such as a creature to be defeated, a monster to kill, an artifact to claim. This style of story telling has worked for him over and over again.  But this time it just felt wearisome and I just wanted it to be OVER with (until the final few pages and the big bombshell and now I'm dying to read the next book).

 

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert / ***1/2

 I really really enjoyed this book.  The main character was quirky, imperfect, and real.  The book was made up of mini-experiences that progressed the main story line but also provided insightful tidbits about life, happiness, relationships, families, and people.  And who wouldn't want to be able to just run away for a year?  It sounds divine. Except I'd want to take Darren with me.  Who wouldn't?

Girl Under Glass by Monica Enderle Pierce / A / ** 1/2

This is a futuristic sci-fi book about an earth conquered by aliens and held in prison camps.  The main character is a doctor of sorts who is ostracized by her community.  A hurt alien comes to her home for help and of course she falls in love with him.  The story at first was so beautifully written and was developing into a great narrative but then all of a sudden jumped off track.  

 

The Last Girlfriend on Earth: And Other Love Stories by Simon Rich / A / *** 1/2

 This book was irreverently funny. I so admire an author that can write a great short story. They really are their own unique art form.  I found out the author writes for Saturday Night Love and I honestly am not surprised.

Shift Omnibus Edition (Shift 1-3) (Silo Saga) by Hugh Howey (Jan 27, 2013)  / A / ***

You know I love me some end-of-the-world stories.  This is the sequel to the "WOOL" stories I read several months ago where the remaining members of the human race are living in silo's underground as the earth has been destroyed.  The SHIFT books alternate between telling the story of how and why the silos were built in the first place to current time when the author fills in the stories introduced in WOOL.  I love the whole idea of thinking what kind of planning would need to go into building something like a silo that could house thousands of people for hundreds of years. What kind of supplies would you need? How would you handle air and water and power? Waste management? Population control? I could spend hours thinking about such things.  How many pencils would you need? Pieces of chalk? Needles? Thread? What happens when all the can-openers break?  I love books like this.

I enjoyed the books but felt they were not as well written as WOOL.  The WOOL books started as short stories and each were very carefully crafted.   I just was not as interested in the story line and found the alternating stories between the different silo's a little  confusing and jumbled. That being said, I have pre-ordered the final series coming out in August.