Change of Plans

I think I accidentally returned the wrong books to the library the other day, and it was closed today, so I couldn't call to find out. Anyway, my book is MIA, so I'm moving on until I can get to the library and see if the book is there. My new #48 is Jhumpa Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth. We're going out of town for the weekend, so hopefully I'll be able to get some reading time in, and I can finish this book before we leave for Spain on Wednesday. I'm going to find some fun, light beach reads for that trip!

TGIF!
M

47/101

I will admit, I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others I have read by Trigiani, but I was still hooked from the start. I read the entire book yesterday, but I think I am starting to read faster because I was only up until 12:15 am finishing it, lol. Still, I feel like Ave Maria is my Appalachian Italian cousin who I am just getting to know... I can't wait to read the third book, Milk Glass Moon. I should be able to get started today...


I'm not sure how much I'll be able to read though. Bil comes tomorrow to visit for two weeks, and I need to get the house straightened up, the fridge stocked, and go for a run. #45 was really a motivator, I've been running everyday!

And on a different note, I got this email this morning from Oprah with her five books that everyone needs to read once. Visit Oprah's Book Club Website!

Continuing the Trilogy

The library had both Big Cherry Holler (#47) and Milk Glass Moon (#48) by Adriana Trigiani, so I checked them both out. I just started Big Cherry Holler, and I'm already over 100 pages into it. I think I'll have them both finished by the end of this weekend. I was so happy to see Ave Maria and Jack Mac and Theodore and all my favorite characters from Big Stone Gap back! I know I just finished the first book like 15 hours ago, but still, I missed them. I think Trigiani is moving up on my list of favorite fiction authors. Before I discovered her, I wasn't a huge fiction fan, but I really enjoy her books. I can't seem to get enough of them... Speaking of, I want to get back to my book. Ciao!

46/101

Another great book by Adriana Trigiani. Every time I fall in love with the characters, and I am compelled to read and read. It's bittersweet though... I read fast because I want to know what happens, but then I get to the end and I'm sad that it's over. I stayed up until 1 am finishing this book last night... I look forward to reading the whole trilogy! I'm going to have to go and see what the library has today...


Next Up: I'm not sure... I had Prisoner of Tehran by Marina Nemat checked out from the library and sitting on my desk to read next... But I don't think I'm in the food for it. I'm going to have to look through the bookshelves and see if anything jumps out at me. I'll update later...

Now Reading...

Last night I started reading (#46) Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani. I just started reading Trigiani this summer, but I really enjoy her stories... This is part of a trilogy with Big Cherry Holler and Milk Glass Moon, and I look forward to reading the whole series. You can see the Amazon page HERE. Also, you can visit the author's website at www.adrianatrigiani.com. Enjoy!

45/101

I didn't find very much new information in this book. I grew up playing soccer and other sports, so running wasn't completely new to me. I go to the gym (sometimes only semi) regularly, and I like to think I'm in pretty good shape... But this book did serve to give me direction. I started running yesterday, and I also ran today. I hope to run in a 10k this fall and the Nashville half-marathon in the spring (2009). I found this book helpful as a motivator, and I think I will use it as a resource when I start running more seriously and competitively and need the running plans... I'll post on my next book tomorrow. It's 11 pm, and hubby and I drank a bottle of wine while watching movies tonight. I'm off to bed. Goodnight and sweet dreams!

M

44/101

(I know the adorable picture doesn't really complement the serious subject matter, but my little Carter was just too cute not to share!)

Being a student of international relations and currently living in Europe, Islam, immigration, clans, civil wars... none of it was new to me, yet I found Ayann Hirsi Ali's story interesting and eye-opening. I think I was hesistant to embrace her story because she was questioning her faith, but in the end, I felt like I had grown in understanding and compassion for Muslim women, and also, grown deeper in my own Christian faith.

Next Up #45: Another change of pace (literally), I'll be reading (with the goal of starting a running program of my own) Dagny Scott Barrios' Runners World Complete Book of Women's Running.

Busy Bee

I have had a busy past week and a half, so I haven't had much time to read. I think I'm just 100 pages into my book. Hubby had a four day weekend, so he's been home (and is still home today). I'll have more time to get back to my book tomorrow when he goes back to work... but I just wanted to say I'm still here... still reading (even if it is very slowly!)... and I'm still not sure how I feel about the book. I'm still on her childhood in Africa and the Middle East, which has been interesting, but something about it... I just don't know how I feel yet! More to come soon... M

Time for a change

While I needed the last couple, lighter reads, I think it's time to go back to something more serious and relevant. I'll be reading Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Infidel, which is the story of a Somali Muslim who went to the Netherlands to escape an arranged marriage... In the Netherlands, she went into politics and spoke out the rights of Muslim women and the reform of Islam. I haven't read it yet, so I don't know too many of the details yet, but my friend CRM recommended this book months ago, and I finally ordered it from Amazon. If you're interested, you can read more about it HERE.

43/101

I just finished reading Lucia, Lucia, by Adriana Trigiani, and I enjoyed it as much as the first book I read by Trigiani last weekend. It was a quick read about an Italian-American family in New York in the 1950s. My parents grew up as Italian-Americans in New York during that time, so I can really relate to the characters and the stories. I look forward to reading more from Trigiani.

Not sure what will be up next, but it's 12:35 am and I'm going to bed... I'll update in the morning! Ciao bellas!

Next Up

I forgot about my next book... I had a few things lined up to read, but when I stopped in the library today to talk to a friend today, another Adriana Trigiani book jumped out at me. After reading Rococo over the weekend and enjoying it, I decided to continue on with Trigiani and check out her book, Lucia, Lucia.

42/101

I flew through this book in less than two hours... I started this morning and read on and off between my errands. I thought it was an interesting read about a young girl during the Spanish Inquisition, and I found the appendix section about the history of Jews in Spain helpful.

Happy Anniversary!

As I was finishing up the last post, I noticed that today is the one year anniversary of when I started my 101 books project. I've read 41 books in one year (not that great, I know, but I've had a lot of distractions... a husband, two kittens, a family and friends an ocean away, one move, four trips back to the States, and many adventures in Europe), and over a year and a half to finish the remaining 60 books. It won't be easy, but it won't be hard either. As long as I stay on track and keep reading, I should be fine to reach my goal of 101 books by February 2010. I should hit 50 by the end of the summer, and maybe even be close to 70 by the end of the year... Stay tuned for updates! Ciao bellas!

41/101

This book was definitely what I was looking for, a fun and light read! I really enjoyed the main character and his family's Italian-ness, all of the Italian words, characteristics, and traditions. Made me think of my Italian roots and family... I can't wait to try some of the recipes, especially the cake and icing! Yummy! The book also made me want to go to church and redecorate my home, lol. I enjoyed it and would recommend this, especially as a good summer, beach read.



Next Up: Incantation by Alice Hoffman