Rocks In My Dryer

Just Doing My Part To Help You Spend Your Amazon Gift Cards

If I were you, I'd stop reading this post right now.

The truth is, I don't think I'm any good at writing about books.  This is probably because I got an English degree a bazillion years ago.  For me, college was basically four solid years of book reports.  At the end of college I swore I'd never write about another book, ever again. 

But then I started getting old, and my brain, evidently, began to atrophy.  If I don't write down what I've read, with a little note about it, the story will be gone from my head before I can put the book back on the shelf.  (Why-oh-why can't I retain knowledge as easily as I retain water?)

So, more for my own benefit than anything else, here are a few notes about what I read this year.  I didn't include every book, but I tried to hit the memorable points:

Bless Your Heart, Tramp by Celia Rivenbank

A hilarious and quick read, this collection of essays about Southern life would be especially enjoyable for those of you south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss

Lynne Truss should be made a saint.  Anyone who can write about punctuation in a laugh-out-loud way deserves some seriously special treatment.  Do not miss this book, especially if you're the kind of person who's ever used your own Sharpie marker to correct punctuation on a menu.  Ahem.

The Chili Queen by Sandra Dallas

I love Sandra Dallas.  She writes historical fiction about women, usually in the south or the west.  This wasn't my favorite of her books, but even an average Sandra Dallas book is better than most any other fiction of its type.

Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor

I do not know how I managed to get an English degree from a southern university without ever having read Flannery O'Connor.  That's just a shame.  Because this woman was a genius with her pen--what a tragedy her life ended just as her writing career was peaking.  This novel (and all her works, I'm told) will absolutely knock your socks off.  This woman understood grace.

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

My friend Shalee recommended this book to me, and it was probably the biggest page-turner I read all year.  It was spooky and still somehow heart-warming--that's not a combination many authors could pull off!  I'm eager to try another Koontz book soon.

Same Sweet Girls by Cassandra King

I'd heard about this book, the story of a group of college girls who grow up and remain close, gathering together each year.  Since I have my own group of college friends whom I love, I thought this would be a fun read.  It was interesting, but the friendships were rather dysfunctional--just not really what I expected from the descriptions I'd read.  But then again, friendships aren't always neat and pretty.  This would be a good summertime pool-side read.

Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Really, could there possibly be anything left to say about Harry?  I've already written about it here, and it's been hashed over a million other places as well.  Truly, this was a remarkable series.

A Song I Knew By Heart by Bret Lott

Ah, Bret Lott.  The man could start writing the backs of cereal boxes, and I'd show up to read them.  He can spin a tale and get inside a character's brain like no writer I've ever seen.  This particular story, a modern-day allegory to the Biblical story of Naomi and Ruth, was compelling.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

So many of my friends really loved this book, and I expected I would too.  The plot was certainly an incredibly original idea.  But I was frustrated by the author's portrayal of this love story.  In some respects, it was beautiful and enduring.  In other respects it was crude and creepy.  The sex was a little gratuitous, I thought, and it took away from what would've otherwise been a beautiful story.

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

I do not use the following phrase lightly:  this was one of the best books I've ever read, ever.  The story itself was a riveting page-turner, but the writing?  Oh, it was just like lingering over the richest dessert you can imagine.  You had to roll the sentences around in your mouth before you swallowed them. 

I won't tell you anything about the plot, because I don't want to give anything away, but I recommend this book for anyone.  I can't imagine a soul who wouldn't love it.

Lost Horizons by James Hilton

I read this book because I'd heard that my favorite show Lost was basically a remake of this 1930's era book.  And truly, the similarities were remarkable.  If the Lost writers really are using this book as a guide, then I think I have a better idea where they might be going with the plot.   

It's basically about four plane crash survivors stranded in a very mysterious, supernatural location.  Sound familiar?  I won't say anymore about it to avoid any spoilers.

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I'm about halfway through this book right now.  It's so beautiful it's downright hypnotic.  Part of me can't wait to see how it ends, part of me doesn't want it to end.  I wanted to hurry and read it before seeing the movie.

So, did you read any can't-miss books this year?  I'm already planning my list for next year, and I'm open to suggestions!

Please Go Vote!

My very, very, very favorite children's book in the whole wide world, The Jesus Storybook Bible (I posted about it here) is a finalist for the Top Ten Pictures Books of 2007 at Amazon.com.  Consumers can vote, so please consider casting your vote for this excellent book here. 

And while you're there, you might as well buy it-- I promise, it will be like no other children's Bible you've ever read before.  My three year old loves it and my ten year old loves it.  Heck, I love it.

Wild About Harry

I have been on a Harry Potter reading marathon since early summer.  After I read the third book, years ago, I decided I would wait to read the rest until the whole series was out, and I could read them straight through. 

So back in June I re-read book three, and then I began reading the new stuff.

And you know, if you are a Harry Potter junkie like I am, that the thrilling stories and lovable characters will get so much into your head that you start identifying with them just a leetle too much, sometimes.  I have dreamed about them two of the last three nights.

This was evidenced to me the other night, when I collapsed on the couch after a long day, and I realized that the remote control was across the room.  And I AM NOT KIDDING EVEN ONE BIT when I tell you that my initial thought was to shout, "Accio remote!"

I should probably get out a little more. 

Last night I finally finished the last book in the series, a feat I accomplished with the help of a great deal of caffeine and a very large box of Kleenex.

If you have never read the series, please do not read any further.  I'm serious.  Big time spoilers ahead, because I HAVE TO DISCUSS THIS. 

*scrolling down now*

*still scrolling*

Seriously, you've been warned.

*humming and tapping my foot*

Nice weather we're having, isn't it?

*still scrolling*

Last warning.

You still here?  Okay.  Let's talk.

I know I'm arriving a little late at this party.  Much of the Potter-loving world has already hashed and re-hashed this book.  But you know what?  I HAVE to talk about this book, because OH MY WORD.  That last one absolutely wore me out. 

Just as Rowling promised, all the ends were tied up so neatly (in my opinion), and all the major questions were answered.  There were still a few things I wondered about, though (and this will be totally stream-of-consciousness, because my mind and heart are still racing).

Even though we caught another glimpse of Petunia Dursley in the Pensieve, I couldn't help but find myself wanting to know how and where the Dursleys wound up.  All along, I suspected the series would end with Petunia somehow re-entering the magic world and giving her life for Harry.  I guess something in me needs the bad guys to become good guys.  I wonder what happened to Dudley?

I'm totally not bragging here (actually, yes I am), but I saw the Snape thing coming.  At the start of this last book, I even went on record with Hubs (who read it before me), saying, "I KNOW Snape is still a good guy."  That was very satisfying, and when we learned that Harry's middle son had the middle name of Severus...well, a big sob got caught in my throat.

Speaking of sobs, the scene where Harry finally got to talk to his parents in the woods, just before he thought he was dying...was that the most heart-wrenching thing you've ever read?  I positively howled, and books almost never make me cry. 

And, I think I may have missed this--who ended up raising Teddy Lupin?  Was it Bill and Fleur? 

And then--oh, then--there was The Kiss.  When Hermione planted that big one on Ron I nearly came right out of my skin.  And I also nearly woke up Hubs and planted a big one on him in celebration, but since it was 1 am, I restrained myself.

Do you think there's any chance for another series?  Maybe Harry as an adult?  Or little Albus and his friends?  I know, probably not.  A girl can hope.

I know I'm leaving out a dozen observations that were coursing through my brain last night.  I was so eager to find out what happened that I probably read it too fast.  I'm actually thinking about re-reading more slowly, so I can pick up on everything I missed last time.

Go ahead--fire away in the comments section and share your favorite and best thoughts about that wonderful world of Harry.  I don't know when I've been so sad to see a book--and series--end.

How Cute Are These?

I was flipping through Good Housekeeping this week, and I saw that they highlighted this little series of books by Dover Publications.  These classic books are all paperback, they all have these chic vintage covers, and (be still my heart!) they're all only $3 each.  I want them all!

MUST. STOP. WITH. THE. PICTURES.  But don't you just love Elizabeth Barrett Browning?

Love this next one--Tennyson is my favorite poet.  I wanted to name one of our sons Tennyson, until Hubs pointed out he'd be called "Tennis" for short:

Really.  This is the last one.

Oh, My.

From one of the (way too many) books I'm reading right now, The Purse-Driven Life by Anita Renroe (she's the same person who did this):

The year that I was forty, I refused to call it forty.  I preferred to call it "$39.95 plus shipping and handling."  And my, oh my, how my contents had settled during all the shipping and handling.  Gravity will have its way.

and

After turning forty, I entered into a phase of my life in which Psalm 139:14 had a deeper meaning for me.  The phrase "fearfully and wonderfully made" describes exactly how I feel when I look in the mirror.  I fear what is happening and I wonder what I can do about it.

and

I now have a front-car seat on the hormonal roller coaster called perimenopause.  This is a new medical term science has given to the condition that immediately precedes full-blown, hot-flashin', mood-swingin', drug-takin' menopause.  In this new "lite" version, you get all the same symptoms, just without the regularity.  in other words, you never know when it's going to hit you.  Menopause is basically your hormonally messed-up teenage years revisited and complicated by the fact that you are perpetually tired and have a mortgage.

My sides hurt, y'all.

Sally Lloyd-Jones

After writing this post about The Jesus Bible Storybook, I wrote the author, Sally Lloyd-Jones, and much to my pleasant surprise, she wrote me back.  She was just as delightful as you'd expect from reading her wonderful writing.  She sent me a few links I thought you might be interested to check out:

Sally's blog

Sally's main web site

Eucatastrophe (a blogger who is doing a photo essay of kids reading their storybook)

For those of you who ordered the book, I hope you're receiving your copies and enjoying some great storytimes with your kiddos. 

Product Review: Bookmark

Kim, who blogs delightfully over at Hiraeth, was looking for a way to combine her loves of books, quotes, blogging and calligraphy.  She found a brilliant one.

She's started a bookmark business, called Bookworms (for her gallery, click here).  These are custom-made, hand-drawn bookmarks, with carefully selected quotes that are a reflection of the buyer's interest personality.  Here's how it works:

When you decide to purchase one, you contact Kim.  You may have a quote in mind; if not, she'll talk with you about your interests/personality and suggest a quote from her vast collection.  She'll discuss design elements with you and send you a scanned suggestion.  She'll find out if you want a ribbon or other embellishment on it.  Basically, by the time she's done, much thought and effort has gone into making sure your bookmark looks just like...well, you.  When she's done, the entire thing is laminated for sturdiness.

Below is the one she did for me.  I absolutely adore it.  What a fantastic quote!  And do you notice how she pulled the graphics off my blog to make it extra custom?

In addition to the full-sized bookmarks, she offers "bookmarklets"; you can read about them here.  Brilliant idea.

Kim's full-sized bookmarks start at 12.95, and based on what embellishments you choose, the price may go up (see price list here).  And while that may seem like a lot for a bookmark, remember that these are hand-lettered.  There's something very satisfying about that in this day of laser printers. 

I'm giving Bookworms a 4.5-rocks rating--I highly recommend this for the booklover in your life.

My product review policy can be found here.

If You Only Buy One Book This Year, Make It This One

Honestly, I've never found a children's Bible-story book that I really loved.  The stories all seemed a little dry, and they're typically presented in a preschool-ish way that doesn't interest older kids.  Spiritual applications are often watered down, if they're present at all. 

So, with a hefty dose of skepticism, I followed my friend Megan's recommendation recently, and I ordered my kids the Jesus Storybook Bible.

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know that I'm pretty frugal, and it's rare that I will tell you something is a must-have.  You also know that I generally don't do book reviews.  But this time I'm making an exception, because this book is a must-have.  I've never seen a children's Bible story book like it.  I've never seen any children's book like it.  Case in point, there's this from the opening paragraph:

God wrote, "I love you" -- he wrote it in the sky, and on the earth, and under the sea.  He wrote his message everywhere!  Because God created everything in his world to reflect him like a mirror -- to show us what he is like, to help us know him, to make our hearts sing.

-- p. 12 

The Bible stories are presented with one goal in mind, and it's explained in the book's subheader:  Every Story Whispers His Name.  Beautifully and seamlessly, the story of Jesus is woven through every Old Testament story, explaining why we needed a Savior in the first place.  The stories are the same ones parents have been reading their children for ages, but there is some hefty theology mixed in--seriously, there is some meaty stuff there.  And while that might make it sound difficult for a child to follow, I can assure you that the opposite is true.  These stories challenge the kids, but the gorgeous, lyrical language pull the kids right along.  Here's an example from the story of Noah, in which the meaning of the rainbow (compared earlier to a warrior's "war bow") is explained:

God's strong anger against hate and sadness and eath would come down once more -- but not on his people, or his world.  No, God's war bow was not pointing down at his people.

It was pointing up, into the heart of Heaven.

-- p. 47

We've been reading two or three stories a week, and my three boys are absolutely riveted.  They don't move a muscle.  The rich content of these stories has generated some of the deepest spiritual conversations we've ever had with our kids, and I'm convinced it's because they're seeing Scripture presented in such a fresh and authentic way.  (Amazon advertises a target age of 4-8, but I disagree.  My oldest son, who is almost ten, has been eating it up.  I've actually learned from it.)

One more example, because this is so good I have to include it.  This is from the story of Christ's crucifixion:

"Papa?" Jesus cried, frantically searching the sky.  "Papa?  Where are you?  Don't leave me!"

And for the first time -- and the last -- when he spoke, nothing happened.  Just a horrible, endless silence.  God didn't answer.  He turned away from his Boy.

Tears rolled down Jesus' face.  The face of the One who would wipe away every tear from every eye.

-- p. 304

Even the illustrations and fresh and powerful.  The drawing of what it might have looked like when Adam and Eve left the garden brought tears to my eyes.

If I sound ridiculously excited about this book, it's because I am.  I can't think of a book I'd recommend more highly to any family, in fact.  It's available at Amazon for about $10.  It will be worth every single penny.   

Bookishness

I can't resist a good book, and I can't resist a good book meme, either.  I found this one over at Just Peachy.  If you want to play along, leave your link in my comment section below!  (Oh, and by the way, while we're on the subject of books, don't miss the Spring Reading Thing over at Callapidder Days.  It begins March 21.)

Hardback or trade paperback or mass market paperback?  Hardback, whenever possible.

Amazon or brick and mortar? I prefer Amazon, because browsing is so easy, and they have everything (not to mention all the access to used books).  Brick-and-mortar bookstores usually tempt me to spend way too much money.

Barnes & Noble or Borders?  Borders. There's one about three minutes from my house.

Bookmark or dogear?   Dogear.  I know, it's an awful habit. 

Alphabetize by author or alphabetize by title or random?   You mean, there are actually people that alphabetize their personal book collections?  It boggles the mind.  I'm doing well if all the books just make it to a shelf.

Keep, throw away, or sell?   I usually plan pretty carefully what I want to read, so I don't stumble across many "bad" books in my reading.  There all keep-able.  Which means I need a bigger house, at some point.

Keep dustjacket or toss it?  Toss it.  Immediately.  Does anyone think it's ironic that dust jackets seem to attract so much, um, dust?

Read with dustjacket or remove it?  See above.

Short story or novel?   Novel, though I enjoy a short story collection every now and then. 

Collection (short stories by same author) or anthology (short stories by different authors)?  Both, though I generally prefer a collection.  Here's a good one.

Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket? I'm wild about Harry.  Go Gryffindor!  My 9 year old is wild about Lemony Snicket right now, though, so that probably means I'll be reading it soon.

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?  Chapter breaks.

“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”?  Both.  It totally depends on my mood.  I've been in a dark-and-stormy phase lately. 

Buy or Borrow?  Buy, or borrow from the library.  I don't like borrowing from others, because I shudder at the thought of losing someone else's book. 

New or used?  Used, whenever possible.  Does anyone know how those booksellers on Amazon.com make any money by selling used books for a penny each?  Actually, I don't care, as long as they keep doing it.

Buying choice: book reviews, recommendation or browse? I really don't like book reviews--reading them or writing them.  I'd prefer a recommendation from a friend who knows my taste in books.

Tidy ending or cliffhanger?  Tidy ending, unless it's part of a series--then I don't mind a little unresolvedness.  I read the western classic Lonesome Dove last year, and the random ending nearly made me put my head through a wall.

Morning reading, afternoon reading or nighttime reading? Nighttime.  If I read in the morning I'll fall asleep in my Raisin Bran, seriously.

Stand-alone or series? I enjoy a good series every now and then, but generally I prefer stand-alone books.

Favorite series? Anne of Green Gables

Favorite children's book?  Time For Bed by Mem Fox, and anything by Audrey Wood.

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?  Thundering Sneakers, by Prudence Mackintosh.  Her writing has really inspired my own.

Favorite books read last year?  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen was my very favorite, and Jewel by Brett Lott was a keeper too.   

Favorite books of all time? The Anne of Green Gables series is second only to the Bible in terms of books that have profoundly affected me.  The Hiding Place was another life-changer.  I also love Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis (it's generally considered his greatest masterpiece, which should tell you something, since everything he wrote is spectacular).  I love historical fiction; two of my favorites in that genre have been London by Edward Rutherford and The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George.  Ooooo, and Jane Eyre--now there's a book I wish I could read again for the first time.

Least favorite book you finished last year?  I had heard good things about The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley, but it wasn't as good as I hoped. 

What are you reading right now?  The Chili Queen by Sandra Dallas.  I'm only a couple of chapters into it, but it is excellent so far.  Anything by her is excellent.

What are you reading next?  Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss 

Product Review: Supper's On The Table, Come On Home

Alright, here's the ugly truth:  I don't really like cooking.  I do it, nearly every day, because it has to be done.  And of course, I like that satisfaction that comes from knowing that I'm taking care of my family.  But it's not the sort of thing that brings me great joy. 

SO, when I stumble across a product that will organize (and minimize!) my time in the kitchen, I am ALL over it.  I was so pleased to get a chance to review Supper's On the Table, Come Home by Rachel Masters.  Unlike the typical cookbook, this is not just a collection of recipes.  The subtitle says it best:

A cookbook including 13 weeks of meal plans, recipes and grocery lists to keep your family eating at home.

Yes, that's right.  The recipes are already organized into common-sense, easy, affordable, kid-friendly meals--including grocery lists.  You simply go through and check off the things you already have in your pantry, add the extras you need for the week (milk, lunch meat, etc), and head out to the store.  It's an absolutely brilliant concept. 

Additionally, Rachel plans a special dessert for her family each week (my kind of girl), and the dessert recipes alone are worth the cost of the cookbook--they're fantastic.  (Incidentally, the cookbook costs $15, which includes shipping.  Not bad at all for a 264-page book.)

I recommend this cookbook to you wholeheartedly as a valuable tool to spend a little less time planning your meals, and little more time enjoying them with the ones you love.  Easily, this gets a five-rocks rating.  To order, go here.

My policy on product reviews can be found here.