Tuesday, August 26, 2008

What's On Your Nightstand?



Last month I joined up with the 5Minutes for Books blog to report on what I intend to read and what I do read every month. Then I give a little mini-report on each book I have read.






So last month I posted this picture. The books on the left are the books I intended to read.



Overall I did pretty well. Keep in mind it is a woman's prerogative to change her mind.

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. I had heard so much about this book and have been wanting to read it for a long time. It is very different from the style of book I normally read and I really enjoyed it. It has a captivating storyline and incredible writing. Mr. Enger has a gift of stringing words together that paint masterpiece style portraits. It's worth reading just to enjoy the excellent writing in it.

The Trophy Wives Club by Kristen Billerbeck. Overall, I was disappointed with this book. I read Kristen's Ashley Stockingdale series and LOVED them. This book was just trying to be to edgy for my taste. I thought about it for a while to try to figure out why I didn't care for it and I finally realized it just had way too much sarcasm in it for me. Sarcasm and anger. The story is about a jilted Hollywood wife trying to come to terms with her new life. I guess I just couldn't relate.

Sisterchicks Go Brit by Robin Jones Gunn. This one wasn't on my intended reading list, but I found it in the library so I grabbed it. I just love Sisterchick books. I love the continuing thread of God's grace that is woven into each story. I love the adventure. I love the friendships. And I love that each adventure in each book is a travel guide. If I ever go to visit any of these places that the books are about, I will read the book first. Robin has a real knack for visiting places that are not usually heard of. I love that kind of traveling. She really came up with a great concept for books.

Dakota Born, The Shop of Blossom Street, and A Good Yarn all by Debbie McComber. These are the first Debbie McComber books I have ever read.

I have a feeling I was the only woman left in America that would fit that description.

I see them all the time in the grocery story and everywhere else. I finally picked up a few at the second hand bookstore and settle in for a good read. I liked the storylines. I liked the good strong characters. I liked the writing style. I was a bit surprised by some of the language used in the books as well as some of the shall we say, "initimate settings". I realize that although Debbie McComber is a Christian, she does not necessarily write Christian books. But I was still surprised. I'm not sure why she felt the need to use the words, the stories would have been just as good without them. Some might say that she is just "keeping it real". Okay. I just didn't care for it. But I do like series books. And I probably will read the rest of the books that will complete those series. But I probably won't read anymore after that. That's just me.

Well, that's it for what I read. I still need to take a picture of what I intend to read this month. I'll try to update soon.

Happy Reading!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, if you read them, then I guess I really am the only woman left who hasn't read books by Debbie Macomber! :) I would have the same opinion of the unecessary words and situations!

Lindsey said...

Nope, I haven't read any books by Debbie Macomber either, lol. And I read a LOT. :-)

Elizabeth said...

I love your book selections this month. Peace Like A River is one of my alltime favorite books. I could read it again and again because the writing is so beautiful. I have never heard of the Sisterchicks books, but I think I would enjoy them. I'm putting them on my to-read list. I only discovered Debbie Macomber within the last year. I know I liked the few books of hers that I read, but I haven't read the ones on your list. Happy reading!

gail@more than a song said...

I enjoyed Peace Like a River. That's kinda disappointing about that series by Billerbeck, because I loved the Ashley Stockindale books! Will have to check on something by Robin Jones Gunn. I've read a few Macomber books but it's been a while and I guess I've forgotten about the language!

Lindsay said...

sisterchicks sounds like something I should look into for my beach reading.. sounds like a fun read :-) Don't you love when you read a book outside of the norm and love it?

Kayren said...

I haven't read her either, and I won't now. I read a little bit of non-Christian fiction but I usually scan the pages for words and situations first, because you expect it to be there if it's going to be anywhere. That's disappointing that a Christian chooses to write that way. I appreciate your honest review.

~ Kayren

Dawn said...

I have been planning to get into Debbie Macomber's books, too, thinking I was the last hold-out. But I'm disappointed to read that she uses bad language. Hmmm.

Just Me said...

Wow..your night stand looks like mine!! And then ...I have other tables around the house, with more books that I want to read too! Right now we're on holidays and believe it or not, I'm on my THIRD book - what joy! Hours and hours of uninterrupted time, to sit in the sun and just read. I finished a book called Wings of the Dawn - historical fiction...- another one by Ted Dekker - love that guy! And of course another historical book on women in history. And on to my next one!

Unknown said...

Add me to that Macomber list -- haven't read them.

Thanks for joining in!

Tiffany said...

Now that we are expecting a baby Im also reading "The complete guide to pregnancy and childbirth." I wish I could read like you do, I just have never gotten into it. I am reading a lot more now than I ever have, so I guess thats good! :)

Jayson said...

I envy you so much. All I get to read is textbooks and lecture notes.