Tuesday, July 28, 2009

July's Nightstand


I can hardly believe that it is already the last Tuesday in July. Time to share what I have read, what I am reading and what I plan to read.

Read:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer. I really enjoyed this book. It has inspired me to try my hand at the lost art of letter writing. You can read my post here.

The Starter Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer. It was very similar to The Trophy Wives Club, which I had read in June...but meatier and a little more realistic. All I can say is, if you have fallen in love with a 'Hollywood mover and shaker' and you are going to get married WITH a prenuptial agreement, you had better stash a little extra money away every time you go shopping until you make it to the 10th anniversary. If these two books are anything like the real deal, the husband will trade you in for a newer model at about the 9 1/2 years mark and you will walk away with NOTHING. I'm just saying!

Sisterchicks in Sombreros by Robin Jones Gunn. This has been my least favorite of the Sisterchicks series, but it did remind me of the cruise to Mexico that Rosa and I took with Mother several years back. My favorite quote from the book was one of Augustine's, "I came to love you late. O Beauty so ancient and new; I came to love you late."

Gardenias For Breakfast also by Robin Jones Gunn...and my favorite book of hers to date. I loved this story, but as I said in my post, it may take being and having a grown daughter to appreciate it as much as I did. (Like Everyone Is Beautiful seemed to appeal to those who still have little ones underfoot.)

Reading:
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. I am reading this for the first time (for the book club over at 5MFB next week). I am only on page 58, so I am not sure how I feel about it yet. It has taken me a few evenings to get into the 'mood' of it after reading so many contemporary books lately. I am sure it is not called a 'classic' for nothing!

To Be Read:
The Centurion's Wife by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke. It's still there! I will get around to it some day.

Sisterchicks Go Brit by Robin Jones Gunn. It is just waiting on me to need another quick, light read with a message.

Where Are You Now? by Mary Higgins Clark. It is set in NY...and you all know how much I love NY. Just waiting on a good mystery read night, curled up in a cozy blanket with the wind howling outside. It has been too hot and dry around here for that lately!

The Beach House: A Novel by Jane Green. Must read while it is still summer! Probably next on my list.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling. This one calls my name. I have been waiting for the paperback to come out for a long time.

I picked up these two at Half Price Books the other day, so I guess I better add them as well. Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and 1st To Die by James Patterson. I am not sure when I will get to these.

Thanks for stopping by. And, if you are looking for a good book to read this summer, head over to 5 Minutes For Books and check out some great lists!

9 comments:

Unknown said...

I haven't read this one yet but I am planning on picking it up in the near future, Velva Jean Learns to Drive by Jennifer Niven. It was mentioned on a blog that I follow. I think it actually just came out today. It is the authors first fiction book.

Nise' said...

Many of us are reading or have read Guernsey!

Just Mom said...

I have Where Are You Now in my TBR pile as well. I'm on the 6th HP and have the 7th waitign for me - just want to finish 6 before I go to the movie!. I skipped over 1st to Die but listened to 4th of July on audiobook when I found it on sale - it was good - I 've liked all the Jamoes Patterson I have read thus far. Have a great month.

Kipi said...

I have Guernsey in my TBR pile, but there are so many in line first. I'm really looking forward to it.

I read Rebecca years ago but just started it again for the bookclub. Hope I can finish it by next week!

Deathly Hallows is really good. I need to read it again!

Unknown said...

I haven't read any Robin Jones Gunn in a while, but I think as a grown daughter myself (and having one who is growing up quickly!) I might have to read Gardenias for Breakfast!

Rebecca didn't take me long to get into, unlike some other classics, but it may just not be your thing.

Anonymous said...

I just finished both of the books that I had been reading and now I will start on the one you sent me. I read 2 new authors this time. J.F Freedman (Bird's Eye View) and Dorothea Benton Frank (Pawley's Island). Both were very good and very different from each other. Freedman was a murder mystery and Frank was a heartwarming story. I will probably get more books by these 2 authors.

Rita

Melissa said...

Guernsey is one of my faves. I just loved it.

Stick with Rebecca! As a first time reader, I wasn't sure that I would really be able to get into it either...but it really is a wonderful read!

Lani - the flowerlady said...

I'm a Robin Jones Gunn fan, too! Love the sisterchicks series.

ibeeeg said...

I read a Secret Life of Bees last summer and enjoyed the read.

I finished Rebecca last week and it did take me a bit to get into the writing. Once I did, the story flew!
Overall, I did like the book very much.