October 4, 2010

What are YOU reading?

The laundry is piled high, the bathroom is filthy, and I didn't do a single educational activity with the kids. Why? I couldn't put down Stephenie Meyer's The Host.

The Host: A Novel 

One would think 656 pages would be intimidating, but I flew through the novel and was truly disappointed when it finished. Even if you aren't a Twilight fan, I suggest you give this more mature novel a chance, especially if you enjoy sci-fi.

If you read my blog than you are obviously dedicated to filling your children's minds with quality books. But what about you? Do you take the time to read for pleasure? Are you setting a good example for your kids? Here are a few of my favorite books, in case you're looking for something new...

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Redeeming LoveTruly one of the best novels I've ever read. Set in the "Wild West," it's a creative retelling of the story of Hosea. The first time I read it took exactly 8 hours: 8pm-12am and then 8am-12pm! I just couldn't put it down. The beginning might be a bit disturbing to some, but stick with it and I promise you won't be disappointed.







Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

Peace Like a RiverHere's another beautiful story of redemption. Rube is an asthmatic 11 year old boy who narrates the story of his family's journey to find his fugitive brother in 1962 Minnesota. I fell in love with the narrative voice in the first paragraph, and barely breathed while I traveled with Rube and his dad and sister on their quest. The story takes twists and turns you won't expect, and the relationships between the family members is inspiring.





Taliesin by Stephen Lawhead

Taliesin (The Pendragon Cycle, Book 1)I read this for the first time at the tender age of 11, and it worked it's way into my soul. Nearly once a year I read it and Merlin, the second in the series. The series is an amazing retelling and intertwining of the myths of Atlantis and Camelot, with a healthy dose of Celtic history worked in. Even if that sounds like nothing you would ever pick up, I suggest you to give it a chance. The ladies in my book club all loved it!





The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

The Chronicles of Narnia Box Set: Full-Color Collector's EditionAnother set of books that defined my early teens. Have you read these yourself? All of them? They are near perfection. Pick them up after the kids go to bed and enjoy. (If you're already a lifelong fan, then you might be interested in the book that's coming out this November: The Narnia Code. I heard the author speak, and his theory is fascinating!)







Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride And PrejudiceI doubt I need to sum up this one. I love the A&E 6 hour long version (hello, Colin Firth!) and the recent version with Keira Knightley, but I love the book most of all. If you've never actually read it, pick it up next time you're looking for a good book.

So what are your favorite novels? What should I pick up for myself next time?

9 comments:

  1. I actually have The Host on my bedside table... for a year now I think! my sis-in-law, who forced me to read Twillight, want me to read this one two... but I really disliked Twillight so I can't find any courage reading this one.

    Right now I'm going throught Cate Tiernan's Sweep series, which 300 pages books are like a breeze to go through while breastfeeding!

    I also recently read the secrets of Avalon, which happens before the Mist of Avalon series (Marion Zimmer Bradley). Excellent!

    What got me to read thought is Harry Potter. Yes, I'm that young. I grew up with the guy!!

    oh, I could go on... I'm sure you had to stop, yourself, for this post.

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  2. oh... looking at my post... I don't only read witches stories! ahahah

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  3. I finished reading The Host recently too, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, given that I'm not a sci-fi fan. The first 50 pages or so were pretty slow, but after that, I couldn't put it down!

    I'm adding Redeeming Love to my Amazon Wishlist.

    My favorite book (and series!) is Outlander. I also really enjoyed The Hunger Games.

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  4. I finished reading The Host recently too, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, given that I'm not a sci-fi fan. The first 50 pages or so were pretty slow, but after that, I couldn't put it down!

    I'm adding Redeeming Love to my Amazon Wishlist.

    My favorite book (and series!) is Outlander. I also really enjoyed The Hunger Games.

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  5. I love how you started this post! So True...everything pauses so I can read! I love to read...and I have a heard time putting books down. If I can put the book down, then I must not be that into it, and I usually don't finish, and just start a new one!
    I can't always be reading a book, or our lives would be chaos....so I usually read for a couple of days...return my book, and then attack life for 10 days...it's the on 2 days off 10 days plan! =)

    My latest reads are..."The HELP"...really enjoyed it and missed the characters when it was over.
    Then I read..."The Eye of the Red Tsar", very interesting...and made me crave reading more books like that!
    I tried one...but just could not get into it, so I read..."Reedemption"...fast read, kept my attention...but a little too soap opera for me!

    Thanks for your list of GREAT books!

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  6. I'm not nearly as good a reading example for my kids as I should be...although Hubby more than doubly makes up for it. My main reason for not reading more is that when I read a book everything else in the house stops until I'm done. I was about halfway through "Before Green Gables" when we moved and I had to take it back to the library...but I have it again now, so I should be able to finish it.

    And those monsters are hilarious. My first thought was...oh my goodness, she put THAT in a ziploc and gave it to a kid?!?! And then I saw the part about it being taped and double bagged. :)

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  7. I love the Pendragon Cycle and many other of Stephen Lawhead's books. Have you read his Hood Trilogy? It explores the legend of Robin Hood. I would definitely recommend it.

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  8. I just finished the Host and LOVED it! I could not put it down!

    I also love Pride and Prejudice and the Chronicles of Narnia and Francine Rivers! SO many good books... so little time! :)

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  9. I LOVE Lawhead! Stole it off my brothers shelf more times than I care to count. I'm reading The Gypsy Morph in the Genesis of Shannarra. I love me some Terry Brooks. And when I finish that I'm reading A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire. This is all of course in like 15 minute segments between cleaning, purging, schooling, painting, cooking, diapering... wshew, I'm already tired. Perhaps I should start scheduling naps!

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