Last month we read Can't Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg. It was good. The main character Elner is an elderly lady with the best outlook on life. She spent her life helping others and living each day to the fullest. She is charming and funny too. Some of the other characters in the book are annoying. Overall the book was good but I did have a few issues with it. For one I didn't like how the author used the word "retarded" numerous times to describe a girl with Down Syndrome. The book was only written a few years ago so I couldn't understand the author's use of the word. Also, I thought it was strange that the only time the author mentioned a characters color of skin was when writing about a black woman. I don't know...it just seemed odd. The others in my book club felt the same too. Overall I'd give the book a B-.
Also last month I read Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells. I have had this book on my shelf for years and finally just picked it up and read it. I loved it. It's a great story of women, mothers sisters and friends. It made me think about all the women in my life and appreciate them a little bit more. I also thought a lot about my parenting and how my kids will remember me. And also about my childhood. I cried and laughed throughout the book....and couldn't put it down. I give this book an A+.
This month's book club selection is Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. I've read 15 pages and I'm hooked. It is going to be a great read. I've also had this book on my shelf for awhile and was glad it was the pick for this month. I started reading it today at the gym. I could have kept at my cardio for hours but alas my blood sugar plummeted and left me rooting around in my purse for an almond, a cracker, a crumb. Nothing. I weakly walked to the snack machine and bought some trail mix. Now that I'm re-nourished I can't wait to dive back into this book.
Other books I've read recently...or ones that stand out in my mind. Really good books!!
The Help
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I read all three in the series.
I am hosting my book club next month and get to pick the book. What have you read that you love?? Leave it in the comments and if I choose your book I'll send you some chocolate!
Island Beneath the Sea - Isabel Allende. I know you will love it.
ReplyDeletePeace Like a River - a "stick with you" type of book.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Goofy name and I didn't expect to like this, but I couldn't put it down. I went on to read all of the author's other books
Cane River - Probably my all-time favorite book. I have read it at least 4 times.
I loved "Can't Wait to Get to Heaven"
ReplyDeleteSaw it through different eyes obviously cause I didn't see the "retarted" word nor did I pay any attention to whether anyone of "color was mentioned. I never once gave it a thought. They all could have been blue to me.
Hated "The YaYa Sistes" books. Can't really pinpoint why now, it's been so long.
"Three Cups of Tea" was incredibly good, right up there with "The Kite Runner".
I am obviously the "oldster" in your group...I just finished reading the thick and annotated "The Shock of Gray" which is nonfiction about the aging of our world's population with examples from China, Japan, Spain, USA, Europe and a little of Africa...amazing stuff (the annotations are from 2008, 2009, and 2010 which means it is current) and I am truly sorry for the state of the world as we leave it to you, our children.
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