Book Pile

I was picking up a few things at Sam's Club so as I strolled down the book aisle, I picked out all these titles for my book pile! I always love reading about the Kennedy's, and I always enjoy reading Mary Kay Andrews and Anna Quidlen. Just requested most from the library. I found the last one on my list when I went to find Just Like Other Daughters(the only book I can't get from the library system) on Amazon. Look like an interesting read so I added to my pile!

First Love by James Patterson
Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen
Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen
First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom
Heart Trouble by Mary Kay Andrews
Just Like Other Daughters by Colleen Faulkner
These Few Precious Days by Christopher Anderson
What She Left Behind By Ellen Marie Wiseman


What are you reading?! I would love to know, leave a comment to let me know :)

Fall Book Pile

It's time for another book pile! It's been a while and it's getting cold...the perfect time to sit next to the warm stove and read! I'm finally jumping on the bandwagon to read 50 Shades. I kept saying I was waiting until I had all three books because I knew once I started, I would want to read them all immediately! What have you been reading lately?!

50 Shades of Grey Trilogy by EL James
I'll See You Again by Jackie Hance
Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella
Second Honeymoon by James Patterson
Crime of Privilege by Walter Walker
Tell My Sons by Lt. Col. Mark Weber

Summer Book Pile

So this is how I find many of the books for my book pile usually......Since I am at BJ's Wholesale Club on a weekly basis, I always stop by their books.  They always have the new releases. Using my beloved iPhone(what did I do before?!) I take a picture of the book so then when I get home I go online to request it from the library! Easy as that! I'm picked up One Week In December  at the library because it was based in Maine, then noticed the author lives in Portland! I'm already enjoying it, even though it's the first week of July, haha 

 

Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky

The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel

The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank

Island Girls by Nancy Thayer

The Glass Wives by Amy Sue Nathan

The Island & Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand

All The Summer Girls by Meg Donohue

Hard Knocks by Howie Carr

One Week In December & Living Single by Holly Chamberlin(A Portland author!!)

 

I'd love to know what your reading this summer! Leave a comment!!

Book Pile

It's been a while since I did my last book pile! I am enjoying my girls trip to Kansas and since I've left home on Friday afternoon, I've already read two books. Since I am not doing a Menu Plan this week, I thought I would share my book pile. It's a pretty big one!

My Kansas book pile:
Six Years by Harlen Coben
Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon
The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner
Daddy's Gone A Hunting by Mary Higgins Clark

Books at home in my pile:
Don't Go by Lisa Scottoline
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Books on my request list at the library:
Until I Say Goodbye: my year of living with joy by Susan Spencer-Wendel
I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
All You Could Ask For by Mike Greenburg
Under The Banner Of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

Christmas Book Pile

I love reading books about Christmas this time of year. It gets me in the spirit :) Usually the're not too long which makes them an easy read during this busy season! While watching the Christmas movie the other night, Call Me Mrs. Miracle, by Debbie Macomber, I wanted to see what other Christmas books she had written. WOW, did she write quite a few! So I requested some from the library, I'll be busy reading these until Christmas!


All by Debbie Macomber:
Can This Be Christmas?
The Perfect Christmas
Christmas Letters
There's Something About Christmas.
Here Comes Trouble

Some I've read in past years:
The Christmas Box
The Letter
The Christmas List
Skipping Christmas

Have you read any good Christmas books?

 

Summer Book Pile

What are you reading this summer? The other day I took a trip to the library, I got quite a few books for my summer book pile and put in a few requests. Two I have already read but they are good easy summer reads...

House Lust
Love and Other Impossible Pursuits
Five Things I Can't Live Without
Let's Pretend This Never Happened
In the President's Secret Service
Remember When
The Other Mrs. Kennedy
The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos (for the daycare)
Becoming Sister Wives: The Story of an Unconventional Marriage
Where We Belong
Summerland
Tuesday's Child
Summer Breeze

My Book Pile

I haven't done a post like this for a while. Truth, I haven't had much time to read. The other night, I was reading in bed and Pete looked over at me and said, "I'm surprised you don't have a kindle." Really, there is something I love about holding a book, turning the pages, and the smell of the paper. Plus, my husband works at a paper mill and with this technology driven world I feel like I'm helping him keep his job LOL! Last week I was able to make it to the library and here is what I got to pick up and requested. Remember to support your local library! What are you reading?

Hotel Vendome by Danielle Steel
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Caught by Harlen Coben
Shelter: A Mickey Bolitar Novel by Harlen Coben
Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill
Steve Jobs by Walter Issacson

Book Review - Faith: A Novel

Book Description:
It is the spring of 2002 and a perfect storm has hit Boston. Across the city's archdiocese, trusted priests have been accused of the worst possible betrayal of the souls in their care. In Faith, Jennifer Haigh explores the fallout for one devout family, the McGanns.

Estranged for years from her difficult and demanding relatives, Sheila McGann has remained close to her older brother Art, the popular, dynamic pastor of a large suburban parish. When Art finds himself at the center of the maelstrom, Sheila returns to Boston, ready to fight for him and his reputation. What she discovers is more complicated than she imagined. Her strict, lace-curtain-Irish mother is living in a state of angry denial. Sheila's younger brother Mike, to her horror, has already convicted his brother in his heart. But most disturbing of all is Art himself, who persistently dodges Sheila's questions and refuses to defend himself.
As the scandal forces long-buried secrets to surface, Faith explores the corrosive consequences of one family's history of silence—and the resilience its members ultimately find in forgiveness. Throughout, Haigh demonstrates how the truth can shatter our deepest beliefs—and restore them. A gripping, suspenseful tale of one woman's quest for the truth, Faith is a haunting meditation on loyalty and family, doubt and belief. Elegantly crafted, sharply observed, this is Jennifer Haigh's most ambitious novel to date.

My thoughts:
I LOVED this book! I couldn't put it down! In 2002, I was living in Brighton, right down the street from the archdiocese, when the real scandal erupted. Everyday the Herald & Globe had something about it in their papers. It was one of the reasons, this book interested me from the start. I was so focused on thinking wheter he did it or not that the book had an element of surprise that I didn't expect. As someone who use to be a member of the Catholic religion, much of what they talked about was very familiar. It was more focused on the family dynamics of the McGann family then the workings of the Catholic church. It is told by sister Shelia but the author does a wonderful job telling the story of each family member. You will find yourself unable to stop reading!!

Book List

I've gotten through most of my books from my last book pile, reviews are coming. Yesterday I went to BJ's for a diaper run and always look at the books so I can check out the new releases. If I bought every book I wanted to read, I'd have a room full of bookcases (I would love, Pete would hate)! That is when the library comes in handy! It's such a great resource! If you don't take advantage of your local library, start now! Here is what is currently on my request list at the library!

Ready for pickup and getting today... All That Is Bitter & Sweet by Ashley Judd


Silver Girl by Elin Hildenbrand
One Summer by David Baldacci
Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer
Save Me by Lisa Scottoline
Untied by Meredith Baxter
Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe

Book Review - The Brothers Bulger

Description:

Although superior to some other tellings of the incredible story of how two brothers came to dominate Boston's political and criminal underworlds for decades, this account by veteran Boston Herald reporter Carr still falls short of being the definitive version he intended. The stranger-than-fiction rise to power of Billy Bulger, the longtime Massachusetts senate president, kingmaker and consummate deal maker, and his brother Whitey, a psychopathic killer who took over the city's Irish mobs, is compelling, but despite Carr's closeness to the story, he fails to bring his protagonists' inner world to life. For those broadly familiar with the corruption scandal that indelibly tarred the FBI because of the active role some of its agents took in protecting Whitey and enabling his brutalities, the author gives a detailed, hit-by-hit description of his crimes. Most readers from outside the Bay State will be almost as appalled at the wheeling and dealing of his "respectable" brother, who crossed path with presidents and presidential aspirants, and who extended his patronage practices to his subsequent position as president of the University of Massachusetts

My thoughts:

I actually read this book a while ago. I thought with the capture of "Whitey" that there would be interest in it again! I loved this book!!  It involves many topics I like.. biographies, true crime, mob life and Boston. I was actually living in Boston when FBI agent John Connelly was on trial and it was front page news every day. I loved reading the paper everyday learning new facts on the case.  I liked knowing the areas in the book that they were talking about since I was so familiar with Boston. Howie Carr wrote a great book, read it if you can!

Book Review - 44 Charles St.

About the Book:
After her boyfriend and business partner leaves her, Manhattan art dealer Francesca Thayer is forced to take in boarders in order to save her beloved home. In short order, she rents out rooms to Eileen, a young teacher; Marya, a famous chef; and Chris, an attractive single father. They all become close friends, but their lives remain chaotic. Eileen falls in love with tattooed men, Marya has a persistent, married suitor, and Chris gains full custody of his son as his ex-wife becomes increasingly erratic. Along the way, Francesca stops worrying about what might have been, and becomes more involved in the world around her-romances, plumbing problems, and all. While addressing the recession, the lethal danger of Internet dating, and the evils of drug abuse, Steel keeps the tone gentle and soothing in this warm, cozy tale about the triumph of love, friendship, and second chances.

My Thoughts:
I think I have read all of Danielle Steel's Novels. They are very easy reads and pretty predictable. Right now in my life, I need books that I can put down and pick up often. This is a book I could do that with. In some ways it was predictable but there were a few surprises I was not expecting. I enjoyed it.

Book Pile

I use to be able to read at least a book a week. Back before kids, I would read 3 or 4 a week! I LOVE to dive into a book and escape. I had three big bookcases filled with books. Since we live in a small ranch, I gave away almost all of them because we just didn't have the room. Now with two kids, I've read two books in 10 weeks. I first read Two Kisses for Maddy. Then, because of the Royal Wedding, I went to the library and just finished reading A Royal Duty by Paul Burrell. I am currently reading How to Bake the Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal , another library book and I am enjoying it. My book pile is backing up and most are from the library so I need to get on it! I always try to get my books from the library, since I usually read them so fast, I think it's a waste of money to buy them right now.

Here is a list of books I currently have at my house to read:

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
44 Charles St by Danielle Steel
A Place of Yes by Bethenny Frankel
Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
Friendship Bread by Darien Gee
The Murderer's Daughters by Randy Susan Meyers

Some of the books I want to read by 2012:

Life's That Way by Jim Beaver
Too Many Cooks by Emily Franklin
Happy Birthday by Danielle Steel
Escape by Barbara Delinsky
The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
The Lost Recipe of Happiness by Barbara O'Neal
The Secret of Everything by Barbara O'Neal
Inconceivable by Carolyn & Sean Savage

Two Kisses for Maddy Book Review

About the Book:
Matt and Liz Logelin were high school sweethearts. After years of long-distance dating, the pair finally settled together in Los Angeles, and they had it all: a perfect marriage, a gorgeous new home, and a baby girl on the way. Liz’s pregnancy was rocky, but they welcomed Madeline, beautiful and healthy, into the world on March 24, 2008.

Just twenty-seven hours later, Liz suffered a pulmonary embolism and died instantly, without ever holding the daughter whose arrival she had so eagerly awaited. Though confronted with devastating grief and the responsibilities of a new and single father, Matt did not surrender to devastation; he chose to keep moving forward– to make a life for Maddy.

My Thoughts;
I started crying reading the forward. It is a love story. It is a life story. The raw emotions and limitless love made me laugh and cry all way through. I laughed reading about Matt navigating his way through fatherhood and I cried because he made Liz so alive in the pages you felt the pain of what she was missing out on. It made me wish I had been her friend. It shows you the power of love in life and death. The book made me feel truly lucky for what I have.

I started reading his blog about two years ago and even though I knew the story, it was still a wonderful book. If you get a chance, check out the Liz Logelin Foundation.

One Promise Kept Book Review

Book Description

“One Promise Kept” is a nonfiction book written by Steve Webster, head of detectives for the city of South Portland, Maine.

The book chronicles a law enforcement career marked by extreme highs, bitter lows and one case that would not let Steve rest until he solved it.

Steve is a natural storyteller with a distinctive voice that combines compassion with dark humor. He takes you inside the most memorable cases in his career as a detective, and inside his head as he interacts with drug dealers, bank robbers, good samaritans and cold-blooded killers.

Co-written with news reporter Trevor Maxwell of the Portland Press Herald.

Personal Thoughts

An excellent book. It was an easy read, a great job explaining his detective work and the emotions that go along with it and I liked that I knew all the places he was talking about. Steve's sister is a good family friend and I knew a few other cops and attorneys he talks about in the book. If you are looking for a quick read and have an interest in law enforcement, you'll like this book! Anyone want to borrow my copy?

Decision Points Book Review

Book Description:

In this candid and gripping account, President George W. Bush describes the critical decisions that shaped his presidency and personal life.

George W. Bush served as president of the United States during eight of the most consequential years in American history. The decisions that reached his desk impacted people around the world and defined the times in which we live.

Decision Points brings readers inside the Texas governor's mansion on the night of the 2000 election, aboard Air Force One during the harrowing hours after the attacks of September 11, 2001, into the Situation Room moments before the start of the war in Iraq, and behind the scenes at the White House for many other historic presidential decisions.

A groundbreaking new brand of presidential memoir, Decision Points will captivate supporters, surprise critics, and change perspectives on eight remarkable years in American history—and on the man at the center of events.

Personal Thoughts:

This book was a very interesting read. Usually most biographies have a lot of personal information in them. His is a very factual book. I usually breeze through a book but this one took me some time due to all the information in it. I found the information on Hurricane Katrina and the ecomony very eye opening. It also spook in great detail about the September 11th and the war after. I thought it was a good book and offered alot of insight into the decisions he made, and why he made them.

True Crime Books

My two favorite book genres are Biographies & True Crime. I asked for the book One Promise Kept for Christmas and will hopefully finish that book during Peter's nap today.
Here are 5 true crime books that I would recommend in no particular order.

1. Finding Amy by: Deputy Chief Joseph K. Loughin & Kate Clark Flora
...... a must read if you're from the state of Maine!

2. Bitter Blood by: Jerry Bledsoe
...... a bitter divorce and a crazy ex wife.

3. Finding Laci by: Sharon Rocha
.......part biography, part true crime, heartbreaking.

4. Almost Paradise: The East Hampton Murder of Ted Ammon by: Kieren Crowley
.......another divorce story (so many true crime involve divorce!)

5. And Never Let Her Go by: Ann Rule
.... I have read almost all of Ann Rule's books. If you love true crime, she is a must read!

Book Reviews

I love books, it's no secret! Since I was little, I read before bedtime. Now a days it is usually the only time I get a chance to read. BC (before children) I use to read a book a week. When I was nannying down in Cambridge I would read 2 - 3 books a week. The library is one of my closest friends, haha!! Since I read books so quickly I request them through the library and it saves me a lot of money. I use to have three big bookcases full of books but with a growing family, gave many away and am now down to only one. When I was pregnant with Peter, every week I bought a new book for him so that he would have his own little library. I continue to add to it for him and for "baby dos".

While reading another blog, I noticed that she did book reviews on the books she read. Why didn't I think of that!!! I loved the idea and will start doing it here. Stay tuned for my first one this week!!!