Saturday, June 20, 2009

Spring Reading Thing Wrap-Up



I can't believe we are at the end of this year's Spring Reading Thing. As the saying goes, so many books, so little time.

This time around I only finished half my list. Now in my defense an extra book, or two, was slipped in. JT and I have been enjoying the Box Car Children series, and with his ADHD diagnoses I've been reading several behavioral management related books.

So, here was my original list, the completed books are crossed out.

The Jane Austen Book Club, Karen Joy Fowler
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, Alexandra Potter - *Presently Reading
Austenland, Shannon Hale
Captain Wentworth's Diary, Amanda Grange
Mr. Knightley's Diary, Amanda Grange
Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, Laurie Viera Riglere

Never Have Your Dog Stuffed, Alan Alda
Play By Play, Neil Conan
Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life, Queen Noor

A Woman After God's Own Heart, Elizabeth George
*This is only half crossed out because I'm only half way through it ... go figure. I started a new Bible Study at our Church, Beth Moore's Living Beyond Yourself.

Oh, well that list looks a little better then I originally thought. There are only three books I haven't started yet. Well, that leaves plenty of reading material for the summer.

My favorite book from the list was Leap of Faith, by Queen Noor. Queen Noor is an American born, former wife of King Hussein of Jordan (he died in 1998.) Over the years I had seen her in the news and she intrigued me. I mean, how does an American born, Princeton graduate become the wife to a king of a small Middle Eastern country.

She answers those questions, plus many more regarding Middle Eastern politics. It was interesting to read how King Hussein had dedicated much of his life on Middle East peace. Several stories do not place the U.S. government, nor our society, in a positive light, but it is a side we need to realize other's see, understand, and face up to.

Sorry. Climbing off my soap box now. After reading the book I read several reviews written on Amazon and Paperback Swap. I was a tad frustrated by those who were completely put off by her analysis on the United States. Remember, there are two sides to every story.

Anyway, I'm back to my Jane Austen theme, with Me and Mr. Darcy. I will probably finish the other books on my list and then pick up Neal Conan's Play by Play. Neal Conan is an NPR host (the name of his show escapes me at the moment.) He took a summer off one year and worked as an announcer for baseball. Why am I reading this? Not sure. I am not a baseball fan. But, I had heard an interview with him when the book first came out and my interest was peaked. We shall see how it goes.

If it doesn't go very well, that is OK. My reading pile keeps growing. Again, so many books, so little time.

Until Callapidder's Fall Into Reading,

Happy Reading.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

The Queen Noor book does sound interesting.

I've also wanted to read Austenland.

Katrina said...

Wow, Leap of Faith does sound fascinating. I listen to Neil Conan (is it Talk of the Nation?) somewhat regularly, but didn't realize he'd taken a year off to be a baseball announcer. Interesting...

Thanks again for being part of the challenge!

Veggiemomof2 said...

I love Beth Moore bible studies & had one on my Spring list.

See you in the fall for the next challenge!

Nise' said...

I want to read the "Diary" books by Amanda Grange. Going to check out Mr. and Mrs. Darcy by Alexandra Potter too!

Janet said...

I agree with the others -- Leap of Faith sounds intriguing!

Jolanthe said...

That stuffed dog sounds funny too. :)

Love the half-crossed off book!

Erin said...

Alan Alda's book, "stuffed dog", was my second favorite. He is an interesting guy, with many interests other then actor. Most people will agree that they first heard of Alan Alda through the TV show MASH. He describes his pre-MASH days, the whole struggling actor trail, which adds interest to the book.

Kristel said...

I'm amazed at people who have time for adult reading! I read books for grad school, books for 6th graders (my students), and books for 5 year-olds as well as board books to the little one. I've seen books that seem to be geared towards adults...just don't have time to pick them up!