Friday, July 31, 2009

What are you reading now?

Most of my books are chosen from recommendations of friends. Avid Readers would like to know what you are currently reading.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Avid Reader

Does anyone remember the first book they ever read? Believe it or not, mine was Maya Angelo's 'I Know Why the Cage Birds Sing'. I've been hooked on reading ever since. Thanks to her for starting me on my path.

Next on my list to read is:

Lime Tree Can't Bear Orange by Amanda Smith

Celia’s mother died in childbirth while her father, she believes, lives in Southampton,England. Raised by her Aunt Tassi in Black Rock, Tobago, Celia is well cared for until the attentions of Uncle Roman become frightening and dangerous. Out of self-preservation, Celia must make an escape to the neighboring island of Trinidad and then flee to England to find her father and ultimately herself. But during her escape, she falls gravely ill. In Port of Spain, she is nursed back to health by William, a caring gardener, and his mother, who help Celia further by finding her a job with a local doctor’s family. What feels like newfound independence soon becomes a tangled and overwhelming web of secrets when Celia finds herself passionately involved with Dr. Rodriguez, the master of the house. Written with great beauty and economy, Lime Tree Can’t Bear Orange is the story of one woman’s search for love and identity by talented Caribbean newcomer, Amanda Smyth.

More Good Reads

I picked up Khaled Hosseini's first novel, 'The Kite Runner', before boarding my flight from Vegas today. His second novel, 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' was so good, I wanted to give this one a try. I read it throughout the entire flight and I'm already half way through it. I am not disappointed; this book is just as powerful.

'A Thousand Splendid Suns' is actually a follow-up to the Kite Runner. However, the books are so well written, you don't have to read them in order. If you're looking for a really good read, I highly recommend these books.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

A Few of my Favorites

If you haven't read these books, you must. .

'For One More Day' by Mitch Albom
'Angela's Ashes' by Frank McCourt
'Cane River' by Lalita Tademy
'A Virtuous Woman' by Kaye Gibson
'Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas' by James Patterson

Has anyone read any of them? Let's discuss!

Post a few of your favorite books here.

August Selection

Ok, here's the suggestions we've had for the August Selection; I've added a short discription for each. Please post your choice.

'The Note' by Angela Elwell Hunt

When PanWorld flight 848 crashes into Tampa Bay killing all 261 people on board, journalist Peyton MacGruder is assigned to the story. Her discovery of a remnant of the tragedy-a simple note: "T - I love you. All is forgiven. Dad."-changes her world forever. A powerful story of love and forgiveness.

‘Still Alice’ by Lisa Genova

Alice Howland, a Harvard professor of linguistics has trouble remembering a few things. But she doesn’t worry that there is something seriously wrong with her. After all, her husband, John, keeps forgetting where he put his keys, but that assurance is shattered the day Alice forgets how to get home after her morning jog. She stands in the middle of Harvard Square and has no idea which street she needs to take to find her house. That experience scares her enough that she goes to see a neurologist, who, after a series of tests, diagnoses Alice with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ by Khaled Husseini

A tale about the frailty of character of strong men and innate strength of frail women. The novel explores the lives of two Afghan women who belong to totally different backgrounds but are forced to share the same unhappy household. It narrates their tragedies, their unwavering endurances and sacrifices in the face of cruelty and hardships. The backdrop is, once again, the war torn Afghanistan mutilated by forces from within and without. The two women face rejection from their families and their brutal husband, suffer from domestic violence and yet find love, companionship and consolation from each other.

‘Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man’ by Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey, the host of the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, can't count the number of impressive women he's met over the years, whether it's through the "Strawberry Letters" segment of his program or while on tour for his comedy shows. These are women who can run a small business, keep a household with three kids in tiptop shape, and chair a church group all at the same time. Yet when it comes to relationships, they can't figure out what makes men tick. Why? According to Steve it's because they're asking other women for advice when no one but another man can tell them how to find and keep a man.

‘Daughter of Fortune’ by Isabel Allende

A sweeping portrait of an unconventional woman carving her own destiny in an era defined by violence, passion, and adventure. An orphan raised in Valparaiso, Chile, by a Victorian spinster and her rigid brother, young, vivacious Eliza Sommers follows her lover to California during the Gold Rush of 1849—a danger-filled quest that will become a momentous journey of transformation. In this rough-and-tumble world of panhandlers and prostitutes, immigrants and aristocrats, Eliza will discover a new life of freedom, independence, and a love greater than any ever dreamed.