Archive for the ‘Books’ Category

“A thought-provoking and courageous new novel by National Book Award winner Han Nolan. Nobody gets away with telling Eleanor Crowe what to do. But as a pregnant sixteen year-old, her options are limited: move to Kenya with her missionary parents or marry the baby’s father and work at his family’s summer camp for overweight kids. Despite her initial reluctance to help out, Elly is surprised that she actually enjoys working with the campers. But a tragedy on the very day her baby is born starts a series of events that overwhelms Elly with unexpected emotions and difficult choices. Somehow, she must turn her usual obstinance in a direction that can ensure a future for herself—and for the new life she has created.” -Summary from Goodreads

Dear Han,

I haven’t had a book touch my heart like this in a really long time. I could not put it down, had to force myself to at 2am, and I finished it this morning while bawling my eyes out. My 3.5 yr old son was highly concerned. I let him know that the book wasn’t bad, but just that good.

Your characters are so rich and Elly, well she just…. I have no words really. Just amazing.

I gave your book 5 stars on Goodreads and have decided to use it as my book club selection for the month of June.

I’m sure the emotional link is that I’m adopted, and the love she (Eleanor) shows to Emma Rose, I hope my birth mother had that sort of love for me. Almost 32 years later and I still sometimes feel abandoned, but it’s books like these that make me think otherwise. While I got pregnant before I was married at 20, my situation was less than ideal, but nowhere near the craziness of Elly, and yet the parental influence was very true to my situation and proved to me that just because they are your parents, doesn’t mean the ideas they suggest are “the right thing to do”.

Best ending.. ever!

Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that your writing.. it matters.. Thanks for doing it.

First, how cute is Alex! I can just get lost in those beautiful eyes of his. I’m not just going to have to lock up Brianna and Katie but my son as well. The girls won’t be able to stay away from this handsome boy! He’ll have to beat them off with a stick!

Alex and I have been enjoying Toddler Time Tuesday at the local library. They read a couple of stories, bobble some theme shaped cardstock cutouts on the parachute and then color or do a craft involving glue sticks.

Alex doesn’t really like sitting still for story time, in fact he runs out of the room to look at the board books, magazines or picks out puzzles. He does enjoy participating in the parachute, sometimes, and always the craft.

The first time there he noticed an old Sports Illustrated for Kids magazine that had Cole Hamels, a pitcher for the Phillies, on the cover. He was completely amazed and in love. He carried it with him all over the library telling everyone he ran into that it was Cole Hamels in a loud voice full of excitement.

I couldn’t believe it had never occurred to me to check out baseball books for Alex, especially when he only has one baseball themed book at home. Another one is about puppies, but he loves it because there is a bat and baseball in one of the illustrations.

So I went to the handy dandy computer catalog and looked up all things baseball. We went on our search through the shelves and picked out a large variety of books. It completely made my little guys day.

Now every time we go to the library for story time we bring back some baseball books and check out some baseball books.

Every time Alex gets a huge grin on his face and proclaims for all to hear, “Baseball Books!” as I nod enthusiastically while holding my finger to my lips to tell him celebrate quietly!

Right now he loves reading about Babe Ruth and it’s adorable hearing him say “The Great Bambino!”.

I will end this here as he just brought me the book about the Philadelphia Phillies winning the World Series in 2008 that he wants me to read to him!

Speaking of which, baseball playoffs start tonight for the Phillies.

Guess who will be watching (from home of course)!

I haven’t been to the library in a very long time. In fact I don’t even remember the last time. I took Katie to story time when Alex was a baby. That was over a year ago! I read a book review on a friend’s blog Monster Cookies and I decided right away that I needed to check out this book.

I immediately went to my library website, typed in the title and saw that all copies in the library system were checked out. I placed a reserve and was number 1 on the list, which was nice. Last time I put in a reserve I was number 489 or something along those lines, in any case it took forever to come in.

I got an email from the library letting me know that my book had come in. I was excited but couldn’t get out there. So today it was on my to-do list to go and pick up my book. I even showered for the occasion. Alex enjoyed the alone time by getting into his big sisters magnet girl collection and playing with the Kit’s American Girl Doll kitchen.

I picked up Katie from school and we headed straight for the library. The parking lot was packed but it could have been because of the massive amounts of snow taking up several parking spaces. I got my reserve first and then Katie picked out a couple of DVDs. As we were walking to the kids books I perused the books they had on display and picked up a collection of short stories that looked interesting. Katie got a book and played with the hand puppets. Alex looked at some board books. We checked out and I found out I had a $5.45 fine, to be paid later.

I forgot how much I love the library. Picking up a book and opening up to find something new and exciting. The feeling of the glossy dust jacket against my fingertips. That crisp woody smell that accompanies opening a book. The new and exciting words jumping off the page and creating an instant (if the book is written well) picture in your mind.

I love it.

I missed my old friend.

I plan on visiting more often.

(Especially since I don’t want any new fines!)

Yes, it’s true.

I am alive.

I know you were wondering, I was starting to wonder my self.

I have been completely immersed in all things Twilight.

All 4 books finished.

Watched the movie, more times than I care to admit.

The soundtrack plays in my mind involuntarily now.

I even read Midnight Sun, all 264 pages available. Stephanie, yes we are on a first name basis, better finish that book. I might not be able to go on if she doesn’t! In fact, she better be so excited about getting it done that she decides to write Edward’s account on the other 3 books as well. At least that is my fantasy at the moment.

I knew I would get sucked into the Twilight obesession. I just did not realize how great that obesession would become.

It’s a bittersweet feeling being done.

Anyone know of any other good series?

Besides Harry Potter of course, I’ve read that one