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June 13, 2009

Books; Check ‘em out!

That was some sort of commercial or Schoolhouse rock slogan from way back when…but no one can say the word BOOKS in our house without the Coach or I following up with ‘check ‘em out.’

Why yes, we are both dorks.

I am trying to get back into my reading…something I have neglected in the last year or so.

I started with one of my favorites:

 

the-red-tent

This is my 2nd time reading this fabulous tale….if you have not read it, (and you are female) it is fantastic!!!!

The story is set in the beginning of the bible. All told by Dinah, one of Jacobs daughters. Dina was barely mentioned in the bible, but this piece of wonderfully written fiction takes you to prior to her birth to her death….and she has quite the story to tell. She was born to 4 Mothers, all with their own tales too.

Did you ever notice that most of the bible stories that we have learned are mostly about the Men’s tales? Well, this is the women's stories. Very captivating and interesting. I consider myself to be more of a spiritual person that a religious person (if that makes any sense) and I just love this book! 

Oh, and can you guess what the red tent is??? hmmmmm….the women go there when the new moon comes. For their, you know cycle , um monthly, um, yeah-that. For them, it is the only time of rest!!

I WANT A RED TENT TOO! Kidding. Well, if it has a/c and internet access…I will take one!

 

I checked out Water for Elephants this week and am hoping to start it today…so many

people have raved about it, I could not resist.

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I barely know what it is about and Lo was asking me as we left the library…I said: ‘I don’t know really what it is about, but if it has anything to do with elephant/animal cruelty I will be so mad!’

Please tell me there were no animals injured in the making of this book. Unless it is a squirrel…. 

This story is slated to be a movie in the future.

Any ideas for my next great read? I love non-fiction, but apparently I am a fan of fiction too.

27 comments:

  1. I have read both those books. Loved the Red Tent, okay on Water for Elephants.

    I love anything by:
    Jodi Piccoult
    Barbara Kingsolver
    Jane Smiley
    Joshilyn Jackson (new find)
    Joanne Trollope
    Michael Chabon

    I could go on all day, but I'll stop here. Even with this crazy blogging thing I usually manage to read a book or two a week, so I'm always on the lookout for books.

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  2. I justed reading A Separate Piece. Stud had to read it for his honors English class this year. I don't remembering having to read it when I was in high school (although, that doesn't seem right, since I also had honors courses) so I figured I'd check it out.

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  3. I found just the book for you, Suz... I'll stick it in the mail. It's name: "Squirrel Lovers Rock".....

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  4. I haven't read much lately but it looks like you have some good suggestions here. Hope you have a great weekend. How are your crape myrtles coming along? Do you have to water or do you get afternoon rain?

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  5. Please try One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus, it is an awesome read. And The Life Pi: A Novel by Yann Martel is excellent!

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  6. I just started Sunday at Tiffany's...not sure if its good yet.
    sandy toe

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  7. I'm all about Erma Bombeck and also the Shopaholic series - what can I say, I read to give my brain a break, LOL!

    Do tell us if the Elephant book is any good though? Always looking for recommendations :-) (besides bibly things, that's just not my cup of tea)

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  8. Try "The Book of Negros" it's not non-fiction but is heavily researched and lots of facts about one childs...to womens journey as a slave. You won't be able to put it down.

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  9. Thanks - I'm always looking for a "good" book to read. I'll put The Red Tent on my list.

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  10. Anything by Jodi Picoult she is an amazing storyteller! My Sister's Keeper is excellent and is coming to theaters June 26!

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  11. I have read Water for Elephants. It is very good--a fascinating look into the circus of the old days. And yes, I hate to break it to you, but it doesn actually involve animal cruelty. But there is justice and vindication.

    I'm interested in The Red Tent. And I'm not a woman (that much).

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  12. I'm sure there were times my husband wished I had a "red tent", even though I am in menopause.

    I am a big mystery fan. I only read before going to sleep at night, so I don't want anything I have to "think" about.

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  13. I've never even heard of these, so thanks for the recommendations. I'll add them to my Amazon wish list. It takes me a long time to read new books, but eventually I get around to it.

    My two favorite books are An American Childhood by Annie Dillard and The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher. Two beautiful books.

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  14. I would just want to finish a book that I've started reading.

    But remember...Reading is FUNdamental.

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  15. I am really behind on my reading list...I'm marking these for my next trip to the library. My oldest daughter was reading the latest shopaholic book...must have been good...she was in the patio chair all day!! Happy Flag Day ~Natalie

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  16. i looove to read :) i hope you are enjoying your new books

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  17. Read "Until I Find You" by John Irving ... it's crazy, fun, interesting, and wonderful, about the son of a tattoo artist Mom, and they are looking for his tattoo artist Dad around the world. xoxo.

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  18. Hi Sue,

    I highly recommend "Three Cups of Tea" and "Sea of Poppies". I know you will love them. Three Cups is a book that truly lives up to my lifes theme of being the change you wish to see in this world.

    I need to catch up on your posts. I've missed them and the laughs. Please give your animals, all of them, yes, even the reptiles, a kiss and hug for me. Thanks for all of your kind words. You are amazing. ;-)

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  19. i want nothing to do with that time of the month!!!!.. he he..

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  20. I want a red tent too - lol!! It looks like from the comments above that the elephant book involves cruelty which means I would cry my heart out and not be able to sleep for weeks once I read it.
    I like books by Jon Krakuer (Into Thin Air, Into the Wild)
    - Books by Frances Mayes - true stories about her adventures of living in Tuscany

    Actually, I was thinking about posting a "book swap" on my blog, and everyone could swap a book and then send it back or on to the next person once they were done.

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  21. I've read both of your books. Enjoyed them both. Three Cups of Tea, nonfiction, is one of my all time favorites. Also enjoyed The Book Thief recently.

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  22. I'm jealous that you find the time to read. I've got books I bought years ago that I still haven't read. One of these days ...

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  23. Adding "The Red Tent" to my Amazon cart...I'll wait for a review of the other!

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  24. I have the Red Tent on waiting at my library because of your advice Suz a paluzza : ). See how influential you are? Scary!

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  25. Thx for the suggestions. Blogging has seriously cut into my reading time. (Well, that and the need for reading glasses...) Someone recently bragged to me that he reads 50 books every summer. All I could think was that he needs to discover blogging to break that bad habit. I wonder if I could lose my job for that comment?

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  26. eric will never forgive you for having me read the red tent... perhaps that is why he steals your silver? anyway... i just finished the shack. although it will momentarily remind you about not camping in a tent, it was really a great read.. really.

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  27. I loved The Red Tent - great book.

    Here are some favorites of mine:
    "Love in the Time of Cholera"
    "My Antonia"
    "Portnoy's Complaint"
    "Confederacy of Dunces"
    "Life of Pi"
    "She's Come Undone"
    "A Prayer for Owen Meany" (anything by John Irving)
    "The Time Traveler's Wife"
    "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"

    I also like Jennifer Weiner's books and Barbara Kingsolver's books.

    I could go on and on and on... but those just popped into my head.

    Also, some excellent non fiction titles are:
    "Bird by Bird"
    "Traveling Mercies"
    "Operating Instructions" (these 3 are by Anne Lamott... I love her writing)
    "Blue Like Jazz" (Dan Miller)

    I also love Max Lucado's books and Beth Moore's books.

    Ok, that's really it.
    I'm going to quit typing now. :)

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