It's apparently already the last week of the month. WHAT? I swear that time is flying faster than ever this year, but I probably say that every year, so let's just move on.It's time to look at the nightstand, or in my case, the bookshelf in the dining room that holds my currently-reading-selections. First, looking back at last month, I'm pleased to say that of the five books I highlighted in last month's post, I completed four of them! (I gave up on the Elmo memoir book because it was just a little too warm and fuzzy for me. Pun fully intended.) In addition, I got through four additional books, with reviews that will post on 5M4B sometime in the near future. All in all, a very good reading month!
Right now, I have a modest two books on my shelf, since I'm realizing that I require more individual focus to actually finish a book, instead of scattering my reading attention in multiple directions. That being said, here are the books that are coming down the pike:
Free-Range Kids: Giving our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts with Worry by Lenore Skenazy-- This is the only book that I'm currently reading, and I'm only a few chapters in. I'm already digging her sense of humor, even if there have been a thing or two that I have a slightly different opinion about so far. I'm purposely avoiding all media coverage and reviewers/bloggers' reactions about this book (except that I did watch her segment on The View a couple of weeks back), so that I can form my own opinion. Jennifer from 5M4B is also reading this, so we may be doing a joint something or other on the site... I'll highlight that here of course, should that happen!
The Disappearance of Irene Dos Santos by Margaret Mascarenhas-- I just got this ARC in the mail last week, but from the little bit that I read online of the first few pages, I got the feeling that this is going to be somewhat reminiscent, at least in style, of another book I loved last year- The Hummingbird's Daughter. Just a hunch, but I'm looking forward to starting this one soon.
The Day My Baby Was Born: Inspiring Stories from Moms about the Joys, Wonders, and Surprises of Giving Birth by LaNita McMeekan-Cates-- Oh, how I love talking about my own birth experiences, all three unique in their own little ways, and I could tell you the play-by-plays for some of my good friends' deliveries as well. It's such an absolutely amazing ordeal, so I'm really excited to read these stories!
Why Darwin Matters: The Case Against Intelligent Design by Michael Shermer-- While the above titles are review books for 5M4B, this one is a personal read for my online book club. We won't discuss this until July, but I've already put it on hold at my library, with the thought that this will be the type of nonfiction that will take me a while. I'm really curious to see how the discussion goes online, since I'm one of the only non-religious-practicing members of the book club. The person who is hosting this selection recently put up a poll about ID and evolution, and it appears that the group is pretty evenly split on individual beliefs. Should make for a very interesting discussion!
That's my nightstand (which sounds so much better than dining room shelf) for this month. How about you? Feel free to link up over at 5M4B!
Back to reading now,
I finally finished Devil's Brood by Sharon Kay Penman -- good book but SUCH a long read. Now it's time for me to catch up on my magazines, as I'm way behind on those.... then I'm back to finishing Love & Logic. And then? I'm off to the library to find something fun to read!
ReplyDeleteAlways interested to see what you are reading since I tend to get some good reads from your lists. Actually one on my nightstand right now was previously on yours: Old World Daughter, New World Mother. I am also reading a book I think you would enjoy as well as several others on the nook...Welcome to the Lizard Motel. Not sure if I will have the stamina or focus to do the Darwin book but we'll see. Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteI envy your organized shelving system. I actually have started to keep my books to-be-read on a shelf in bedroom, in a loose sort of order, but the ones I'm reading (or are up next) are sort of all over.
ReplyDeleteI want to read Free Range Kids!
ReplyDeleteWow, that promises to be an interesting book club discussion!
ReplyDeleteFree Range Children is one I never heard of till I saw it on Jennifer's blog this morning. But it's on a subject that has bothered me -- my children's lack of freedom compared to my own as a child. I'll be curious to hear what you both think of the book.
Free-Range Kids sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot of buzz lately about free range kids - will look forward to hearing your opinion!
ReplyDeleteAll new books to me...sounds like you'll have a great month!
ReplyDeleteoo the shelving system is a great idea.. Mine just get all mixed together! Have fun reading this month.
ReplyDeleteWhy Darwin Matters sounds like a pretty heavy read.
ReplyDeleteI think you shelving system is cool. The books that I plan on reading sit on my piano in an organized manner next to the books that need to go back to our library. On yeah, the piano is played daily so my books do not effect it. :)