Grownup+Books+2011

= = From Debbie Denowh: My daughter-in-law introduced me to her favorite author, Ann Patchett. I am currently reading //The Patron Saint of Liars// and can't wait to read //Bel Canto.// //The Patron Saint of Liars// is about a woman who runs from her marriage when she finds out she is pregnant. She does not want to be a mother so finds herself at a home for unwed mothers where she plans to give up her baby. She can't go through with it but remains at the home as a cook and mentor to the young women who come and go. I am also reading //House Rules// by Jodi Picoult. It is about a teenager with Asperger's syndrome. We have a friend with a daughter who also has Aspergers. So it is interesting to see how Picoult writes from the perspective of each character in the book. It has to do with the teenager being charged with a young woman's murder. I haven't finished it yet so I can't tell you who done it!



= = =Derek Kirchner: The Shack was an awesome book. It gave a great prospective on God. The story is about a man who lost his faith in God after tragedy strikes his family. Will he get it back? Read it and find out. This story is based off of real accounts of one man. It is a must read and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great story.= = = = Did you do any summer reading, just for grown-ups? Or, what's one of your ALL TIME VERY FAVORITES? Let's share! =



My favorite genre is historical fiction, so I really found Sarah's Key by Tatiana DeRosnay an excellent book. You are told the story of a young Jewish girl whose life changed in 1942 when Paris held the Vel'd'Hiv' roundup of Jewish families. Sarah's story is told as journalist Julia Jarmond does research for an article she is asked to write for the 60th anniversary of the Vel' d'Hiv'. This is was the first time I had read about the treatment of Jews in France. It is an interesting story that holds the reader's interest as the story unfolds. It has recently come out as a movie. Haven't seen the movie, but highly recommend the book. Mary Erickson

Whitney Chamberlin: I am koo-koo for cocoa puffs for memoirs! Whether fact, fiction, or any combination thereof the permission and invitation to view the world through another's eyes is a pleasure I cannot resist. Here are a few that I have enjoyed:


 * [[image:http://letmejustsayit.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/lookme.jpg width="330" height="497"]] || [[image:http://www.drurywriting.com/david/BlueLikeJazz_files/image002.jpg width="380" height="583"]] || [[image:http://margaretdilloway.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/howtobeanamericanhousewife_.jpg width="365" height="550"]] ||
 * This book is brutal in honesty and hilarity.
 * Available in edicted and explicit language editions || Great stories from a master storyteller. Don't read in public places if you are afraid to look like a crazy person for laughing outloud... || In flashbacks to pre-WWII Japan and modern-day California a mother and daughter reflect on how to be "an American housewife" ||

Liz Sorlie: Well, honestly, with starting a new job, I read mostly children's books. However, I am reading __What the Dog Saw__ by Malcom Gladwell. He writes for the New Yorker and this is a collection of some of those pieces. So far, I like the chapter, //Hair Color,// the best. He writes of things I generally do not ponder, but find interesting. For example; Why has mustard gone through so many changes and ketchup not?

To me, a true sign of a fabulous book is when I realize I am thinking about the characters, plot developments, and ideas presented for days afterward. I am a geeky book-gusher (when I read something exciting I have to rave about it to everyone I encounter), so I am thrilled for the opportunity to share a few favorite books on this wiki. Here are some titles that have transfixed my brain, transporting me to other worlds. (Scroll over book covers for summaries.) ~Katie Harrison

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One of the best books I have ever read! Written by Abraham Verghese, a physician and author. "Cutting for Stone" tells the story of Sister Mary Praise, a nurse, and Dr. Stone, whose lives intersect on a ship as they travel from India to Ethiopia to work in a mission hospital. They work at Missing Hospital in Addis Ababa and the real story unfolds when twin sons are born to Mary Praise. She dies in childbirth, and Marion, one of the twins, continues the story of their lives from the eyes of a boy growing up in a loving adoptive family. He eventually meets his father years later in New rork City. The book is complex, the characters unique, and the storytelling is descriptive and powerful. Jane Ray ** JANE --- I read it this summer too, and honestly agree that it is one of the BEST BOOKS I've ever read :) Margy **

Erin Carr I love to read mysteries, and I have recently discovered a new mystery writer Arnaldur Indridason. He has written a series of mysteries that take place in Reykjavik, Iceland. They follow head detective Erlendur along with his colleagues Sigiraur Oli, and Elinborg. These books are heavy on atmosphere, have great cases to solve, and they do not shy away from the characters many flaws. I like to read mysteries that are part of a series like these because you get to know the characters. Iceland is a place I do not know much about and I have have also enjoyed that aspect of them. The books in the series include [|Jar City], [|Silence of the Grave], Voices, The Draining Lake, Arctic Chill, and Hypothermia. //Hmm.... I enjoyed the ambiance of the Norwegian trilogy, The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo.... these might be good. Heavy on atmosphere, as you say. (Margy0//

Jennifer L. Summer is my time to read for myself. My favorite from this summer was __Still Alice__ by Lisa Genova. It was an intriguing book about a professor from Harvard who gets early onset Alzheimer’s disease. The book was written from her perspective and was so interesting. I recommend it, especially for anyone dealing with a family member with that terrible disease. Jennifer, I also read this book last byear and was amazed at the descriptions and ideas she had as to try to hold on to herself through this disease. An Amazing book! ~Sherri Wolles

OK....so I know this book series is considered YA, but I loved it......__The Hunger Games__ by Suzanne Collins. I would read it soon before the movie comes out! We debated about purchasing the book series for our library K-8 because the content sounded older, but it is a great adventure with a small love triangle mixed in. Stephanie Heggen

I am transported back through time by the classics, like //Pride and Prejudice, The Odyssey, Les Miserables,// and Shakespeare. - Carol Bailey

Just like Liz, I have started a new job, and spent more time reading children's books instead of grown-up ones. I love the classics like Pride and Prejudice. I still can remember the first time, I read it and how many movie variations of this book I have seen. Also, I am just starting to read, __Heaven is for Real__ by Todd Burpo. This book has come highly recommended from many friends and family members. I am looking forward to getting int o it. - Emily Blackwelder

I am currently reading //Unbroken// by Laura Hillenbrand. It is an interesting book about the life of Louie Zamperini who was a famous runner and World War II soldier. It is inspiring to read about how he is able to survive and surpass people's expectations. Laura Hillenbrand also wrote //Seabiscuit.// I read //The Help// a while ago and really enjoyed it. I have not seen the movie yet, but I plan to this week. //The Help// gives you a different perspective of life during the Civil Rights Movement. It was interesting to read about the women's lives and experiences. It was pretty funny too.

 Anguish of the Heart Jesse Lasater Jesse began writing poetry while in high school as a way to pass the time. She took the chance and entered a poetry contest and won. //Anguish of the Heart// covers the full range of human emotions. This book of poems is a blend of fiction and real life experiences. - Kris Keller

Vanessa M.  //The Help// by Kathryn Stockett is an inspiring novel about a young Southern woman named Skeeter. In a time when "separate but equal" laws played a huge part in the lives of the people living in the South, it was easier for black people to work through their daily lives than to talk about the unfair climate. Skeeter talked in secret with maids, Aibileen and Minny, who told her about the challenges experienced while serving white people. Skeeter confronts her own challenges as she learns about the home life of her close friends, through their maids. The potential consequences of Skeeter and the maids writing such a controversial book, as well as, the emotional attachment that grows for each of the characters kept both my daughter and I turning the pages. (: Denikka MillerI found myself reading a variety of authors that I had never heard of this past summer thanks to Amazon and the free books that the have for Kindle. I found myself really enjoying historical fiction. The series that I read was a Christian based series by Kathleen Morgan titled The Brides of Culdee Creek. Once I finished the first book I could not get my hands on the rest of the series fast enough. Great series set during the time period of horse and buggy yet the issues that the characters faced are issues that our society deals with now. However, the characters turned to each other and God to help them through difficult times rather than reacting without thinking. Great series with strong willed women! I thoroughly enjoyed The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Series by Stieg Larsson. I enjoyed the mystery that was involved in this series, however, there were times when I was a bit dragged down by the large amount of description in the beginning but soon found out that it was much needed for the rest of the series. Dave CraigMy three favorite books are all 'road' books. Blue Highways and RiverHorse by William Least Heat Moon are two of my absolute favorites. Cross Country by Robert Sullivan is another fave. Blue Highways is about a man on a journey to discover life. He has just divorced and needs to escape. He decides to do it by driving only the two-lane back roads of America. He meets many people along the way and discovers much about himself and people in rural America in the process. This is something I have always wanted to do myself. RiverHorse is a similar journey but on the rivers from the east coast to the west, following the route of Louis and Clark along the way. Cross Country takes a great look at family vacations...the prose is done in a way we can all relate to if you've been on the good old family drive...ala the Griswolds. [] []

Chelsea Brigance: It kind of makes me sad to think about, but I never get to read books for myself anymore. I have been working through my masters degree and then just started as a librarian so I have been focused on educational text books and children's literature. If nothing else, this page gives me ideas for what I can read on my own as well as the license to do so.