Friday Finds

These 8 books from my library hold list became available this week. It seems to happen this way all the time! I have a few books to read before I get to these. Since most of them are new books, there will be no renewals for me and I had better get reading.


Books top from left: Stepping Into Sunlight by Sharon Hinck
The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig
BreakNeck by Erica Spindler
Bottom from left: Rebel Anges by Libba Bray
Salvation In Death by J.D. Robb
The Independence of Miss Mary Bennett by Colleen McCullough
The Treasure by Iris Johansen


Check out other Friday Finds.

Friday Finds

What great books did you hear about / discover this week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!

This week while browsing at the Library, I found/recognized books that I had read about on blogs (not sure which ones).

Where The River Ends by Charles Martin

The Road Home by Rose Tremain Orange Broadband Prize

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell - National Book Award Winner


Have you read these books?

Christmas Tour of Homes

The welcoming committee invites you in and please make yourself comfortable!


Help yourself to some yummy goodies.


Would you like a cup of tea, hot cider or cocoa? Sorry, no coffee today.


Last year I got a new Nativity set for Christmas and was excited to display it this year.


We don't have a fireplace so I hang the stocking on the shelf in the corner. My kids (24, 21, 17) made it a point to let me know they still want them filled this year!

The tree


This basket holds the Christmas cards/letters we receive. When I got it out of the closet, it still had last year's cards. I kept them in so people think we have a lot of friends!


Thanks for visiting my home during BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes.

Please leave your name in the basket......

for the giveaway of luscious DOVE chocolate. Please let me know in your comment whether you prefer dark or milk chocolate.


May you and your family have a Merry Christmas!

Friday Finds

What great books did you hear about / discover this week? SHARE WITH US YOUR FRIDAY FINDS! Hosted by Should Be Reading.

I was so surpised to find this book on the shelf at the Library. I have been wanting to read it for awhile, but of course, I had to read Pillars of The Earth first.

Picked up A Cup of Tea by Amy Ephron to finish a challenge (needed an author that had an E name).

This book was recommended to me some time ago.

Classics Bookclub - December

Today the Classics Bookclub "meets" at 5 Minutes For Books to discuss A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

This was (as far as I can remember) the first time I read the book. I'm surprised at how familiar the story was to me and how funny it was, at least to me! I wonder if it because I have seen many movie versions including cartoons and the Muppets.

I found this book much easier to read than other Dickens's books(I have never finished any of his other books). It has helped me to remember, while keeping my focus on the true meaning of Christmas, to also enjoy the simple pleasure of giving to others, the ability to spend time with family and friends and to be content with what I have. It has caused me to think about the "Scrooges" I know and to be more compassionate towards them acknowledging that there may be some deep hurts in their lives.

Stop by 5 Minutes For Books for more thoughts on A Christmas Carol.

Classics Bookclub

This month we read A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith. This was my first time reading this book. I kept waiting for "something" to happen, but soon realized it was about Francie and her family's life as she grew up in Brooklyn.

Their poverty is something that is hard for most of us to understand. My grandmother grew up very poor, but had a place to live and something to eat, even if it was just a little bit, at each meal. They never had anything extra but had just enough. She tells of a time when her mother gave her a dime to go buy a loaf of bread. She dropped it and the dog ate it and she had to wait until the dog went to the bathroom to get the dime back and go to the store and buy bread. I thought that was the grossest thing I had ever heard and said I would NEVER do that. She looked back on it as something that was funny.

Even though Francie was growing up poor she had dreams and hope that things would and could get better. She did have moments of discouragement, but remained proud and determined. I loved how she saw the wonder in the things around her.

I am glad this book was chosen for the Classics Bookclub. It was a great book.

Find out what others thought of the book at 5 Minutes For Books.

SCFC - Memorable Characters

My Friend Amy hosts this weekly carnival.

Today's question is:

There are many outstanding characters in the books we read but often there's that one special character we remember for a long time. Sometimes it's because we relate to them, or maybe we were going through something similar to what they experienced. Or maybe they are just the sort of person we wish we were.

Who is the most memorable character in Christian fiction for you and why?

Memorable characters are the ones that cause me to really get involved in the story, feeling like they are my new best friend, being so angry at them I wish I could slap them or touching a place in my heart that wants me to be a better person. Those characters that I keep thinking about and can't wait to get back to and am sad when the story is finished are the ones I love. Some of those characters are:

Faith and Charity O'Connor from Daughter's of Boson series
Father Tim and Cynthia from the Mitford Series
Essie Spreckelmeyer from the Trouble series
Angel from Redeeming Love
Becky Miller from Secret Life and Renovating

Children Classics

5 Minutes For Books is hosting Children's Classics and this month we are sharing our favorite Newbery book. As I was looking over the Newbery Winners I was surprised to see that the last winner I read was 1994's The Giver by Lois Lowry. I have got some reading to do.

Some of my favorites are Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli, Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, Sounder by William H. Armstrong.

A couple of these books my kids read first in elementary school and shared them with me. My mother's best friend was an elementary school teacher and would recommend The Newbery books to me and my kids.

I would have to say my favorite is Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan.
I read the books that continued the story and enjoyed them as well.

Jane Eyre

This month's book for the Classics Bookclub hosted by 5 Minutes For Books was Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

This was a re-read for me and I really enjoyed the part when Jane left Thornfield and found herself on the doorstep on Diana, Mary and John's house. The first time I sped through it in trying to find out if she reunited with Rochester. I missed St. John's arrogant righteousness and do not like him one bit! I cheered when Jane said she, "If I were to marry you, you would kill me. You are killing me now."

A couple of the questions from a neat book found in a used bookstore: Read It and Eat:
Bronte is considered a frontrunner in feminism. Is Jane a feminist by the standards of 1847? She would be considered un-feminine in that she spoke her mind and did not hide her intelligence. She is anything but submissive. But she is definitly ahead of her time! What about today? Today she would fit right in with speaking her mind.

Do you see any similarities between these characters and relationships and those in Pride and Prejudice? They are similar in that the female characters where a bit ahead of their times in speaking their minds and fell in love with men that that weren't the typical "knights in shining armour". Jane and Elizabeth are different in their family relationships.

I am looking forward to watching the latest BBC version of this book. The one with Timothy Dalton was hard for me because I kept picturing James Bond.

Find out what others thought about Jane Eyre. Next the Classics Book Club will be reading A Tree Grown In Brooklyn.

Classics Book Club

5 Minutes For Books is hosting the Classics Bookclub on the first Tuesday of each month. The book chosen was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Lisa is our host and she has given us a few "discussion" questions:

Did anything strike you differently this time? Anything you hadn’t noticed in earlier readings?
What struck me this time around was how sarcastic Mr. Bennet was with his one liners. My focus usually is on the daughters or being annoyed at Mrs Bennet in previous reads.

``You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.'' Mr. Bennett to Mrs. Bennett

``Well, my dear,'' said Mr. Bennet, ``if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness, if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders."

The novel’s original title was First Impressions. Did you have any first impressions of the novel that were refuted? Any that were supported?
My "first impressions" were negative because I was being forced to read this really old book in high school. I thought it was boring and hard to follow. I don't think I ever finished it. I did not like (with any of the books we "had" to read) having to figure out themes, symbols, motifs and analyze characters. I just wanted to read for enjoyment (still do). But with subsequent readings, I came to love the characters and the story.

When I choose to re-read the book, I often go the Library and grab one of their copies to see what parts are favorites of other readers. Every book I have checked out is marked up somehow! This last time there were many parts marked "stupid" and I felt sad that this person may not have liked the book.

Next month's books is Jane Eyre.

Classics Book Club

5 Minutes for Books is hosting a Classics Book Club. The first book is Pride and Prejudice. One of my all time favorites.

So here's the challenge:

Read or re-read the book in question (this month it's Pride and Prejudice).
If you'd like write a "before" post stating why you are reading the book, or what your impressions are going into it, feel free.

Whether or not you write a before post, link up your after post on the day in question. Our host (this month it's Lisa) will give you some questions to ponder or address in your wrap-up post if you'd like.

If you'd like to visit and comment on other's wrap-up posts, you can truly enjoy the virtual book club

Oh the Places You'll Go With a Book!

Summer Reading Extravaganza Day 5: Oh the Places You’ll Go! With a Book! What are some of your favorite books that transport you to a new place?

One of my favorite places to go is Scotland in the 18th century with Jamie and Claire Frasier in The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon.

Just recently it was Britain and France in 1803 while reading the Pink Carnation series that begins with The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig. Harvard grad student Eloise Kelly is trying to uncover the real identity of the pink carnation, the only spy who was not unmasked by the French.

Love to read anything about the Civil War.

To check out other places readers love to visit stop by the The Friendly Book Nook.

Summer Reading Activities

The Summer Reading Extravanga on Day 4 asks: What summer activities do you participate in that promotes reading?

When my kids were younger they participated in the local library's summer reading programs/challenges. I still do and am participating in two of the challenges:

Beachcomber's Book Bingo - read books for each of the nine categories on the card and receive your choice of prize and be entered in the Grand Prize Drawing.

Hot! Hot! Hot! Summer Reading Program - read five books, get your card stamped and when you have completed five books you may turn in the card for a prize and one entry in the Grand Prize Drawing.

Summer Reading for Children

Day 2 of the Summer Reading Extravaganza asks what will your kids be reading this summer? My 16 year old son likes the Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson. He also started The Lord of The Rings books in school and I hope he will finish them. Every once in awhile I go through the books that I saved when my kids were younger and in the last couple of days I read:

The Giver by Lois Lowry - Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it's time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.


Maniac McGee by Jerri Spinelli - Just who is Jerry Lionel "Maniac" McGee? They say he was born in a dump, they say his stomach was a cereal box and his heart a sofa spring, but what is the truth?

More than once we read Shilo by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and Sounder by William Armstrong together.

To check out other summer reading for kids visit The Friendly Book Nook.

Fun Summer Reads

Day One of the Summer Reading Extravaganza asks what is in your beach bag to read this summer?

It is quite sad that I live so very close to the beach but hardly ever go there. I spend most of my time in or around our pool and leave the beach to the tourists. I like to read paperback because they are easier to hold while on a raft in the pool! The books I'm reading around the pool are:

Deep In The Heart of Trouble by DeAnne Gist - A Texas sized tale of unexpected love. This book continues the story of Essie Spreckelmeyer that began in Courting Trouble.

Doesn't She Look Natural by Angela Hunt - Jennifer has inherited a funeral home and faces her new life....dead-on.

Crisis by Robin Cook - Dr. Bowman has reached an impressive level of success. But it all comes to a screeching halt when he's served with a summons for medical negligence and things get much, much worse.

The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult - This book explores the unbreakable bond between parent and child, and questions whether you can reinvent yourself in the course of a lifetime or if your mistakes are carried forever.

My Soul To Keep by Melanie Wells - The third book in the Day of Evil Series. Peter Terry is hunting again, chasing souls, haunting minds, invading dreams and wrecking lives. As Dylan draws closer to the answer she seeks, she stumbles upon a discovery that draws her ever deeper into danger.

To check out other fun summer reads visit The Friendly Book Nook.

Summer Reading Extravaganza

June 23rd-27th The Friendly Book Nook will be having a Summer Reading Extravaganza!

INFO: Each day we will have a topic about summer reading that we encourage you to post about on your blog! It should be a great chance to get a lot of ideas for books to read over the summer as well as ways to encourage your children to spend some of their time reading.There are also prizes! Through regular participation you will have the chance to win one of the following:1) Inspirational Fiction Lot: Includes Skizzer by A.J. Kiesling, A Mending at the Edge by Jane Kirkpatrick, In the Dead of Winter by Nancy Mehl, To Trust a Friend by Lynn Bullock, and a special cross bookmark made by Rabuna Fi.2) A brand new signed copy of Stealing Athena by Karen Essex.3) A ten dollar Amazon gift card!