Just this one time.

-Erin

I've recently discovered I don't really have a "kind" of book that defines me. But I'm used to having favorites. What's wrong with me?

You know how it goes, I like lots of music, but I'll always be a country girl.

And so many colors inspire me, but green will always have my heart.

And while I might enjoy a cold coke on a hot summer day, it will always be dr. pepper whose taste I crave.

I've found that while trying to put myself in a box when it comes to books maybe the best thing is to just realize that I know what I like and it doesn't have to fall into any specific category. I like lots of young adult and I like plenty of fantasy and a little romance never hurt anyone and politics always keeps things interesting.

So I'll just keep reading and when I come across something I like, I won't try to define it. I'll just enjoy it.

And I'm okay with that.

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Huck Finn - Anna's Review (June)

-Anna
As an English major I reveled in the idea of reading Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. As a lover of grammar, my reading was slowed down by wanting to correct all that gloriously authentic vernacular!
Nevertheless, I enjoyed Huck Finn (some parts more than others), and I am of the opinion that Mark Twain knew how to write a story with style!

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August's Book Club Pick

-Anna
I recently bought a used copy of A Country Doctor by Sarah Orne Jewett. She is an author I'm aware of but don't know much about. I think I read a short story or excerpt of hers sometime in my educational past, and I seem to remember liking it, but it's vague to me. In reading the opening chapter of A Country Doctor, I was immediately captured by her descriptions and insights on human behavior. So, I'm willing to go on this life journey with Nan Prince...and see what happens.

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Victory

-Anna

I have finished Huck Finn! Now I can go to book club with a clear conscience.

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Me too.

-Erin

I'm in a reading funk too. I have no desire or will to open Huck Finn. But I want to want to read it. Does that make sense?

If only I had a place like this to go then I'm pretty sure I could get out of any funk. But alas, this beautiful library is in New York City. And I, well I'm not.

 
 
 
 

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PaPaZ Update

- Anna

I'm about halfway through PaPaZ and so far the only comment I have is that it is giving me confusing dreams about Jane Austen and zombies. I keep wondering (in my dream) what zombies have to do with my beloved Pride & Prejudice. I have to say that outside of my slumbering subconscious, I am wondering the same thing. But I have not finished, so the final verdict is not in.

In other news, the book funk persists, though a Taylor Swift music video did lift my spirits. Could it be that I am craving a simple girl meets boy story? And no, Time Traveler's Wife does not qualify!

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Reader's Block

I know, I know. It's only writers who are supposed to get block. They are the ones who stare at a blank page and pray for something brilliant. But no, I meant reader's block. I just haven't been excited about the last couple of books I've read. I'm still way behind on reading Huck Finn. I want to read it, I just don't want to read it. I am in a book funk! Somebody help me. I've sent my husband to the library to pick up Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - will this be the push I need to get me back in the reading groove?

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Dear Penguin,

Thank you for sending us a copy of The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama to read and review.

We are currently passing it around the book club and will get back to you with our thoughts and opinions.

Sincerely,

The Sage Room

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Let's go see the stars!

-Erin

There are very few books that I will reread but when I do, I open the cover and breathe deeply the scent of familiar words and lines and pages. I revisit the people and the voices of my favorite authors and favorite characters. They come alive once again in my mind and I realize that they were never truly gone. Sydney Carton's sacrifice is real and honest, Anne's whimsical way with words and love is refreshing and uplifting. I may already know the story, but I am there to visit with my old friends.

Then the people and voices are brought to life. And I get to visit with them in a new way. I go to the movies. Sometimes with apprehension, but I still go.

This year I will watch the jagged words Harry Potter appear on the screen with dark clouds behind them and I will get that feeling I know all too well of excitement and tingling. My heart will ache and rejoice because I have missed my friend Harry.

I will reconnect with old friends like Ron and Hermione. But will also have new friends to make in the movies The Road and The Time Traveler's Wife (check out that trailer below).

But dear books do not be jealous, for you first introduced me to these people I know so well and I always come back to you.

**Oops! I tried to add the trailer and it was too big for our blog. Here are the links for all three...


Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince


The Road


The Time Traveler's Wife

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Breaking News!

-Anna

I recommended the Hunger Games to a girl who works with me, and she just told me that the second book Catching Fire is going to be released in September '09 not January '10! I had to look it up on amazon.com before I got excited. And there it was: "This title will be released on September 1, 2009."

This, my friends, is very good news!

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This Never Happens

-Anna

I am in the middle of 3 books! What! It's shocking I know because I am a one book woman. Loyal and faithful. But now I find myself going between 3 different books. It's madness. But let me explain.

I realized somewhat late that June's book club meeting was approaching in days and I had not started Huck Finn. Yikes. So of course I dutifully began reading Huck Finn...when a book I'd been waiting for was delivered. Well I couldn't wait, so I started reading that book. Then Erin announced July's book pick and mentioned excerpts were available online, so I had to check it out...and couldn't stop and read 187 pages before it cut me off.

And so that is how I found myself reading 3 different books.

Please don't judge me.

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