Glass Castle

So we had our book club tonight... I tried to recommend The Help because I really want to read that one (that makes it sound like I can't read it if it's not a book club choice... not the case but harder to make the time for it). There were a few takers but then they settled on The Glass Castle (I hope that I remembered the name right). I can't remember the author, I didn't write it down. They said it is harsh. What is that supposed to mean. Have any of you read it or heard about it? I'm not that interested but will read it if I can get some more positive feed back on it. In the meantime, I'm going to try and find The Help.

The Help

Aunt Carol, was it you that was recommending this book? I had a friend just tell me about it. Who's the author? Maybe I'll recommend it for our book club. We meet tomorrow night.

Has anyone read The Shack?

I personally have not yet read this book, but came across this hilarious article I thought I'd share. I would love to hear what your opinion of The Shack is, if you've read it.

A few recommendations

Thanks to AnnMarie for coming through for us. I didn't realize that my love for books was shared by so many of my relatives!

You will notice a common theme among most of my recommendations - that the majority of them are juvenile fiction. I recently asked some members of my book club why this was and many of them felt it was because most current novels are smeared with vulgar language and explicit scenes, and that while not all juvenile fiction is "clean," the majority of it is a lot cleaner than its adult fiction counterparts. That being said, my recent reads that I would recommend are:

1. The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (series of 3 books, the third has not yet been released)

2. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (nonfiction)

3. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (series of five books)

4. Among the Hidden byMargaret Haddix (series of seven books)

5. The Uglies, The Pretties, The Specials by Scott Westerfield (these are three separate books all in one series)

6. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor (won the 1977 Newberry Award)- Jon and I listened to this on our trip down to St. George.

7. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
Jon and I listened to this epic on our trip to CA. I have heard that the abridged version is much better b/c the book is very wordy, but we enjoyed listening to it.

I Added The New Addresses Sent To Me

I know I am still missing some addresses (Stefanie, Linsey, Jonathon, Trenton, maybe others. I've lost track now). Will those of you who have accepted the invite check out the list and add anyone that is missing from your families. Go to the Setting tab and then Permissions. Let's make this fun. It doesn't have to be strictly about books. Let's just share fun, interesting, news/announcements, ideas, thoughts... whatever.

I'll start... Several months ago our book club read the first Fablehaven book by Brandon Mull. I got sucked in and read all four that are out. It's fantasy with mythology creatures set in modern day United States. It's light and fun. We started reading it to the kids and are on the 3rd book. They are enjoying it. The 5th and last book is supposed to come out in March sometime. Two of the main characters are a brother and sister named Kendra and Seth. Kendra is the older more timid one. Seth is younger and invincible. We have nick-named our oldest kids Ashley and Jaden, Kendra and Seth. It's a fun read. Let me know what you think if you've read it or decided to try it out.

Email Addresses

Mom sent me a list of email addresses. So, hopefully in the next couple of days I can get everyone added here. To be allowed to post pictures and notes on the side bar you have to accept the invite to the blog and then it will allow me to grant you admin "power". Actually, I think anyone I've already granted it to can do it. Help yourself, mess around with it, let's make this a fun family thing.

WELCOME

We are starting a blog for our family to share all the great books that we are reading. And other things if you'd like. Many of us belong to book clubs in our own neighborhoods and thought it would be fun to share what we are reading and pass along the good ones. Maybe warn against the ones that aren't worth our time. So... Let's get this going!

I added family to the list who I have email addresses for. Please send me addresses to those who I may have missed. My address is at.thurgood at gmail dot com. I think I got, Uncle Brad, Lesley and Michelle in their family. I got Aunt Jill and Uncle Ken, Uncle Mark and Aunt Val, Grandma, my mom, Randy, Kerri and Dustin. I will set this up so that everyone can contribute (make a post) and also so that you can change the stuff on the side bar. You can add a picture of you/your family if you'd like to. Also, we can make it private after we have everyones info that wants to join us if anyone would prefer that, I'm good with whatever.