For the Bookworm

Earlier this year, I posted about the 2016 Reading Challenge I was taking via  Modern Mrs. Darcy. I've made good progress and have tackled them all with the exception of War and Peace and the book I am currently listening to that is my selection for a book published this year, Titans.

                                         

Titans was written by my High School English teacher. She was a gem of a teacher and is a true southern lady, with whom I have continued to keep in touch. I was the school newspaper editor and Mrs. Meacham was our sponsor. I think my penchant for saying things like "Oh, Fudge" and "Fiddlesticks" may have started in her class. :)

  I discovered Ann's blog late last year and was quickly drawn in. On Tuesdays she posts a podcast called What Should I Read Next where she interviews a fellow bookworm and they discuss books for 20-30 minutes. Ann also has a summer reading club, but I didn't sign up for that although I will probably read some of the titles she has chosen.

Ann has a Daily Kindle Deals that you can sign up for as well.  I have definitely found some gems and some fun new selections. Sometimes there are also wonderful discounts for the audio book.

I just thought this was a great source for those of you that are avid readers and wanted to share with ya'll.

Coming Up For Air

 I've been reading... voraciously, and I've checked 4 titles off of that reading list I posted a few weeks ago.

1. Married and How To Stay That Way - I finished my book I'd abandoned first. I highly recommend it for a Biblical view on marriage. So much of it is common sense to me, but it's good for me to be reminded of God's design for marriage. I'm thankful each and every day for His bringing DH and I together and I don't ever want to take that for granted.

2. The Picture of Dorian Gray. I did not enjoy this one at all. It's dark and strange and filled with sentences that go on for an entire page. I tried to like it, but was just glad to get through it.

3. Wuthering Heights. Another dark, twisted story that just left me feeling disgruntled with selfish characters. I may look back later and recognize it for the brilliant work of literature it is considered to be, but presently I am left feeling annoyed.

4. Whistling Past the Graveyard. And we have a winner! Loved this. No, it's not considered classic literature and perhaps I was just ready for something less...dreary. I loved the story and the author's voice and fell in love with Starla, the spunky protagonist.

 I went by the library on Monday after work to check out The Great Gatsby, but it was closed so I fired up my Kindle, took a deep breath... and started War and Peace.

So now you know why there hasn't been any sewing going on! I'm still spending lots of time with fabric though...if you peek into my house you'll find me curled up with a quilt... nose firmly planted between the pages of a book.

2016 Reading Challenge

If you're a regular reader here, you know that I am an avid bookworm. All of us are. There is never enough time to read. That's probably why I have fallen into the world of audio books, but there still is no substitute for curling up with a real book. Put me in a room full of books and I will get lost and lose track of time until someone comes to drag me out.

The other day, our girl ran across the 2016 Reading Challenge and we immediately began making our lists. we always have a long list of books we want to read, but this will be a fun challenge and we spent a couple of evenings working on our respective lists and yes, we are reading a few of the same books.




                                           

This list is subject to change as I am highly influenced by recommendations from other lovers of the written word. Here's a link to our girl's list: The Desert Rat Philosopher . I may be a tad biased, but I think this kid's got a way with words and a unique way of viewing the world. She's bright and clever and fiercely passionate in her convictions. I'm glad she's started blogging again.

And here's my list:

A book published this year: Yet to be determined, but I'm keeping a keen eye on new releases
A book you can finish in a day: The Great Gatsby
A book you've been meaning to read: Go Set a Watchman
A book recommended by your local librarian or bookseller: This House of Sky
A book you should have read in school: The Picture of Dorian Gray
A book chosen for you by your spouse, sibling, child, or BFF: Wuthering Heights
A book published before you were born: Of Mice and Men
A book that was banned at some point: The Heart of India
A book you previously abandoned: Married and How to Stay That Way ...I didn't think I had ever abandoned a book until I cleaned out my nightstand the other day and found this one with the bookmark in it. And yes, all is well with DH and I. I just believe that it is always beneficial to not become complacent and to to continue to work on our marriage covenant with Christ.
A book you own but have never read: Whistling Past the Graveyard
A book that intimidates you: War and Peace ...this one may take me all year.
A book you've already read at least once: To Kill a Mockingbird ...life is too short to read the same book twice, but I haven't read this one in 20+ years and I wanted to re-read it before reading Go Set a Watchman.

Anyone else up for the challenge?