My Summer Reads
I will sometimes go for a while without wanting to pick up a book. I’d rather enjoy quick magazine articles and flip lazily through the pretty pictures. Then there are times when I can’t get enough of a good book and I crave another and another. I’ve enjoyed a few this summer and, as they have been taking up quite a bit of my time, it occurs to me that they must be worth a post.
I also noticed that when I am surfing the net and I come across someone’s recommendation for a good book, I have to click on the link and check it out. Maybe you feel the same.
So here are the books that I have had my nose deep into over the past couple of months. If any of these interest you, just click on the book and you can purchase them directly from Amazon. (Hint – I always order more than one at a time so I don’t have to pay for shipping 😉 )
Sexy Hormones by Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, MS & Alvin Pettle, MD
I found this book to be loaded with great information. Some things I knew already but much I didn’t. I find myself referring back to it often, which makes it difficult to lend to anyone (Sorry Chris). I was pleased to learn that the path my naturopath has had me on for the last couple of years is absolutely the right one according to everything I read in this book. It is so empowering to have a clearer understanding about what is going on in your own body.
Women Food and God by Geneen Roth
Um, well, I’ve only read up to page 30. I lost interest and haven’t picked it up again. I guess I’m not really relating to it. I may try it again. Roth has been on Oprah promoting her book and it has been on a number of best seller lists, but for some reason I just can’t get past page 30 right now. I’ll give it another try one day.
Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach
I actually pick up this book and read from it all year long but for some reason I go to it more frequently during the summer months. I don’t know why. I always find a tidbit of inspiration whenever I pick it up. I love this book and highly recommend it.
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Not exactly a mood booster. This is the memoir of grief that Didion wrote after her husband died from a massive heart attack. Although it brought tears to my eyes many times, it was so well written and touching that I could not put it down. It has me searching for more books written by her now.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
I kept hearing such buzz about Larsson’s Millennium crime trilogy that I had to check it out for myself. I have to admit, I get it now. I enjoyed this book so much that I went straight out and bought the next in the trilogy, The Girl Who Plays with Fire. I’ll probably start this one today. Part of the intrigue for me at first, I must admit, comes from the fact that Larsson died before his books were published and that there is now a battle between his long time love and his father and brother over the inheritance and book royalties. Exciting!
Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
Funny! Funny! I laughed out load many times. Be prepared though, this book is full of f-bombs and like expletives. Beyond the profanity is some pretty wise philosophy though and at times very touching stories of family life. Halpern started tweeting things his dad said and ended up with over a million followers before landing this book deal. What do you know? I enjoyed it immensely and hey, I see they’ve just created a sit-com starring William Shatner as the dad too. Wow, Hollywood is fast.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
I’ve had this book put away for ages and finally got around to reading it after seeing a Facebook post by Jacquie recently where she spoke of it. Thanks Jacquie! I appreciate the reminder because I really enjoyed this book. The characters were rich ( I felt like I could practically smell them at times) and Gruen weaved such an interesting tale of circus life in the dirty thirties as well as perfectly capturing the essence of being 90…or 93 years old. Loved it!
Well that’s it for my summer of 2010 reading list so far. I’m always looking for good book recommendations though, so if you have any you’d like to share please use the comment section below to fill us all in.
12 Comments
Chris
Hey !! Am sitting in the Narobi airport right now, eagerly awaiting my return to Vernon ! I just finished reading Girl Who Played with Fire and looking forward to the third one. Sorry Bonnie, I would lend it to you, but it is in pieces in various locations in Tanzania and Rwanda !! Aaakkk ! I know you are cringing !! See ya very soon !!
Bonnie Johnson
No worries Chris, I already bought it. Ripping up books is a sin you know! 🙂 Safe travels home!
Samantha Mattersdorfer
I for sure have to pick up Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern. I tend not to pick up books that are going to be made into TV or movies but this one sounds like it will be worth the read. I also think I might finish it before the show comes out.
Cheryl and a friend named John kept talking about e-books and I think I have had it about 2 weeks now and have gone through 2 and a half books. Its a wonderful thing for me to use. I spend so much time looking for books that I want to start reading. Yesterday I just bought 3 new books!
The book that I couldnt put down was called Total waste of Makeup by By Kim Gruenenfelder. Im onto the second book of hers that is connected with the first book and its called Misery Loves Cabernet.
Overview of Total Waste of Makeup:
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Total-Waste-Of-Makeup/book-2oYfBAd32kO2B8RPn9RPUg/page1.html
Bonnie Johnson
Thanks Sam! I will check those out for sure. 🙂
Tracy Westerholm
Great reviews Bonnie, I hate trying to pick out books to read! If I am not absolutely captivated from the first page forward I lose interest immediately, I know no patience. I feel like I am giving the writer time to speak to me and they are taking advantage of my time if their voice doesn’t sing to me immediately! Too hard on them I know, I’m picky!
I wish I did read more, I read before bed but get so sleepy I fall asleep lol! I like dreaming better than reading I guess.
I finally went to Indigo a couple of weeks ago with the gift card you gave me for my birthday, (Feb) I walked right down an isle and stood right in front of a book that was yelling “TRACY PICK ME PICK ME!”
The name…”The Idiot’s Guide to Connecting with Your Angels” and “The Idiot’s Guide to Your Chakra’s.” I started the Angel one immediately and the author caught my attention in the introduction! Love it!
Not sure about e-books though Sam? I like the paper pages and want to see them on my bookshelf! Maybe just not reference style books would be great as an e-book. I see how it would be convenient to have all your books with you at one time though. T 🙂
Cheryl
Great taste Bonnie! I loved Water for Elephants; I have the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo on my e-reader (but won’t let myself start it until holidays next month); and I read Simple Abundance when the author was on Oprah about 15 years ago. In fact, that book changed my life, possibly more so than anything else has. I started keeping a gratitude journal and have written in it every night without fail for the last 14 years.
Tracy, it’s possible you need reading glasses. I used to find reading put me to sleep until I got glasses.
Tracy Westerholm
I have reading glasses Cheryl, I can’t read the page without straining my eyes without them anymore! I need new ones though. Maybe I just need to be sitting in a reading chair instead of snuggled up tight in my bed with comfy covers and the window open blowing cool air at my face! I’ve always wanted a reading chair in my bedroom!
Cheryl
I have a reading chair in my bedroom but don’t use it! There’s nothing like be comfy in bed.
jacquie
Bonnie, I started The Year of Magical Thinking but had to put it down. I think summer reading (for me) needs to be a little less somber. I do agree Joan Didion is an amazing writer, though, and will pick it up again in the winter (when I’m suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder?…maybe not such a good idea…)
I’ve just started Water For Elephants for my book club and I’m liking it so far. Picked up Dragon Tattoo at Costco last week to read…on vacation with Cheryl! That’s a coincidence!
I’ll have to check out Sexy Hormones and the one about food, women and God…. sounds intriguing. Great list…
Michelle
If you want a great read try Choosing to Smile. Here are some reader reviews http://choosingtosmile.com/Testimonials
http://www.choosingtosmile.com
Janet
I mentioned before that I had read this one, and agree it is a good read.
I also read Women food and god, and found it good in some parts. I enjoyed watching the segments on Oprah more. I guess sometimes hearing is more for me than reading. A few you’ve listed, I think I’ll check out…thanks!
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