Category — Good Books

I finished this book while we were away this week. And the whole time I was reading it I kept wishing that the Spotted Puppy was still going strong, because this book was SO wonderful, I wanted to share it with someone.
It is one of those books that when you read it, you really feel like you are existing in another world and you kind of wish that the characters are real.
The book was written as though it is Sarah Prine’s diary. While this book is inspired by the author’s great grandmother and her story, I kept forgetting that most of it is a work of fiction. I was completely caught up in the story…laughing, smiling, crying and feeling angry.
I loved Sarah Prine. I loved her spunk and the way she sees the world. I love how she is so good, but never sees herself that way.
There was one part in the book where she said that she and her new husband had their portrait made. She talked about how they leaned against steel back braces to keep them still and how they look very serious in the pictures. I thought about pictures of my own ancestors and those old photographs that look stiff and serious like this. It is sometimes easy to forget that those were real people that had struggles and thoughts and loved their children and were much like I am.
Reading it made me want to keep a better journal. Record more of the details that show what it’s like to be me living this life.
Read this book, and if you do…send me an e-mail so we can chat about it.

I was thinking about how the last book choice for the Book Club was not a group favorite. The posting was infrequent, and February on the Spotted Puppy was just an overall snoozer.
SO! I have listed two books as March’s reading. I don’t see anything wrong with having two books going at the same time.
One of them is the runner up from last month’s vote and the other is a new book I read about that seemed to have a whole different vibe.
If you’ve already joined the Spotted Puppy, then head over there to read up on March’s book selections, and if you haven’t joined…well, what are you waiting for?

Using a super-scientific method of randomly choosing a winner, (read: asking Kelly D. to pick a number between 1 and 16) we have a winner of this month’s book club book selection.
The winning number was #12, which is Allie.
Allie- send me an e-mail (link in the “about” box) with your mailing address and I will send it right away so you can start reading!
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We’re officially into February so let the reading begin! Get you hands on a copy of The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff and start posting your thoughts.

The votes have been counted. This month’s book club selection is Benjamin Hoff’s The Tao of Pooh.
I read this book about 12 years ago and absolutely loved it. My copy is full of notes in the margins and highlighted passages.
It’s thought provoking.
It’s a short read, so even if you are skeptical about it, it’s just a tiny little book packed with nuggets of wisdom that you are sure to treasure for the rest of your days.
It’s gently funny.
It’s utterly delightful.
And, I think it’s a good follow-up to the heavy subject matter we ingested last month. (which I totally dug)
So run out and get your copy and start posting your thoughts on the Spotted Puppy!
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One more thing…I keep hearing that there are people who read my blog and feel uncomfortable about commenting or joining this book club. People. Everyone is welcome! I love reading all of the different perspectives on the books and as far as comments go, I will come out and confess that I live for them. Ok, that may be overstating it a bit, but then again, maybe not.
So. To help you feel a little less shy I am going to have a give-away for this month’s book club selection.
If you would like me to send you your very own copy of this delicious little book just write anything you feel like saying in the comments section here on my blog. I will pick the winner randomly at the end of the day on Sunday.
All members of the Spotted Puppy are eligible. It’s easy to join. You just have to give your name and e-mail and answer a few optional questions. Then wait for the e-mail saying your in. The only criteria for becoming a member is that you don’t post pornographic threads. Or threads about Viagra. Or threads about cheap prescription drugs and contact lenses. Or about how to make my you-know-what bigger. Because for one thing, I don’t have one of those. And if I did, I’m sure I would be happy with it and also it’s nobody’s business.

It’s almost February and that means it’s time to choose the next book for our book club. Only half the registered members have voted…so click over to the Spotted Puppy and cast your vote. If you haven’t joined, then do it! I loved reading everybody’s thoughts on last month’s book.
I’m really hoping we can keep this going because it’s doing a fantastic job of scratching my itch to discuss things I’m reading with people who have read it also.

It’s up and running. There is a new link to the book club on my sidebar under the ‘About’ header called Spotted Puppy.
Why spotted puppy? Well, for one thing, “A Novel Idea” was already taken, and Spotted Puppies are cute, and it’s easy to remember. Plus, I found that cute little puppy pic to use on the banner at the top of the page.
I don’t have my copy of the book yet from Amazon, but as soon as I have it, I will start posting. If you are reading it now, feel free to post!
When we were first discussing doing this thing, Erin T. jokingly suggested that we should have a TV show forum. I thought it was a great idea!
I have made a couple of other sections too.
The thing about this is that I am not going to be to only one posting here. If it turns out that way, it will be a pretty lame forum. So PLEASE don’t be shy. I really think this will be a cool thing if you guys participate.
You just click on the button to register and it will ask you some questions. If you don’t know what it’s asking for, skip that question. There is an option to have an avatar (the cute little picture that is displayed by your name). And, there is a way to send private messages (pm) to the other people in the forum if you want to talk about something you don’t think is of interest to the group.
It’s all pretty self-explanatory, but if you have questions or problems then just send me an e-mail or leave a comment here.
Tell your friends or anyone else you think would like this.
The more the merrier!

The winner of the vote for the first book to read was by far Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult.

I am almost ready to post the link to the book club forum, but I thought I’d give everyone a chance to pick up a copy of the book.
I am all of the sudden nervous that it will reflect poorly on me if the books we read are crap. So, here is a disclaimer:
I am reading these books for the first time along with everyone else. If they are boring, offensive, poorly written, or in anyway bad, then I am not accepting blame.
I hope everyone that said they were interested are still planning to participate because I am really excited. And, if you are just hearing about this for the first time, then click here, here and here to find out what this is about, and join us! Everyone is welcome.
Even Penelope.

I have been trying to decide on a first book for our book club, and I am feeling a lot of pressure to come up with something that everybody will enjoy.
I think we should put it to a vote. I have selected several books that look good to me, so let’s see what everybody else thinks.
Don’t stress out about reading it this month! Remember, we are starting in January. I thought we should decide early enough to give everyone a chance to get the book.
This first book is one that many of you have probably heard of. I have been thinking about reading it for a while.

I have read this next author recently, I thought this story sounded like an interesting premise.

I read this book about 13 years ago, and I LOVED it. I have been wanting to read it again. I remember it being thought provoking and delightful, and even funny in spots.

I found this one on Barnes and Noble.com, and I was totally going to choose this. It sounds really good, but then I discovered it’s actually Oprah’s bookclub selection right now. For some reason that was a turn off.
Don’t get me wrong… I love me some Oprah, but I don’t want to be a copycat. Or, does that not matter? Anyway, you decide…it sounds like a great read.

I started reading this before I went to New York to see the play, but stopped because I didn’t want to have unmet expectations or any idea in my mind of what the characters should look like. I want to finish it some time.

The last one is a classic. I bought this a long time ago when I was really getting into reading some of those, but never read it. I have to admit that my interest was rekindled when it was mentioned in Stephenie Meyer’s Eclipse.
Call me lame if you must, but love me anyway.

I have links to info about each of these books. Just click on the underlined words and you can read up on each of them.
Leave your vote in the comments and we’ll choose the most popular!
Oh, and if you even if you didn’t already let me know you want to do the book club, you still can. I will have it up and running January 1.

You know what’s great about Kelly D.?
When I started in the photography business, and began to make a little money doing it, he said, “You should do one of those Bridal Fairs…really get your name out there.”
So, I did. And things really started to take off.
Then, when I quit my ‘real’ job and began shooting full-time, he ran the business which he jokingly referred to as a “non-profit organization” and turned it into a way we could support ourselves.
When I planted a little vegetable garden in the back yard of our first home, I used to have to water it by hand. Every day. He said, “Here’s how to install a drip irrigation system on a self timer…welcome to the twenty first century.”
He’s always doing stuff like that. He takes a good idea and makes it awesome.
My point? (you were wondering.)
Today, I told him about my on-line book club idea. After a moment of thought he said, “You know what you should do…?”
(and my ears perked up!)
“…you should make it like a forum. Where everyone can comment or start their own thread of comments, and everyone’s input is visible on the main page instead of just in the comments.”
And I was like, “YES. YeS. yEs!” Now we’re talking!
So.
After a bit of research, I have found the software that will make this happen exactly how I want it.
AND! You are going to L.O.V.E. it! I have some ideas that will make this so fun and everyone will be just as involved in the content as I am. (well, I will do some editing if you guys start throwing out explitives.)
So, I have some thinking and tweaking (love that word!) and fiddling around to do.
Give me the rest of the month. I figure that it’s the busy Christmas season anyway, and everybody is probably too crazy with holiday fun to read, so we’ll start up on January 1st.
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I was so happy to see how many of you are interested in doing this with me! Tell your friends…the more the merrier!

What if we did an internet book club?
Is that removing the human aspect from it too much?
Is it too cold and futuristic?
I know people must do this, but I want to start one…with you guys.
Yes, even those of you that heretofore have not left comments.
I have another blog address that I will customize for just this purpose. Here is what I’m thinking:
We’ll choose a book, then while we are reading it, we can leave comments on the blog about what we like, or don’t like, or just thoughts about the book, etc… and when we’re all done with the book we’ll have a “discussion” through the comments section of the blog.
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Not that I need an excuse to waste any more time on the internet, but I keep reading these books and I have this urge to discuss, or share or whatever.
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Seriously, you may be thinking that you don’t know me, or that you’ve never met me in real life, you just like to look at pictures or read recipes, or maybe you even like to read stories about me throwing up, but I think it would just be so totally cool to have a big, diverse group of people from all over participate in this.
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Anyone interested?

I am in the middle of reading a book called Into The Wild.
It is the story of Chris McCandless. A young man, who left behind all that he knew in order to pursue a life of wandering and to experience a life of adventure, and challenge, and to find joy in unconventional ways.
It is a true story, and you may have already seen the movie that has been made about this guy’s life and ultimate demise.
It is fascinating.
Before I had children, I would have found that way of life very appealing. Something new everyday. Meeting interesting characters everywhere you go. Learning through experiences not many people have.
I was struck by a passage in a letter that he wrote to his friend right before he went on the trip to Alaska where he died:
“You are wrong if you think joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience. We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living.”
While I am not about to burn all the cash I have and take off to live in the wilderness by the sweat of my brow, I think there is wisdom in his words.

Oh, my goodness, friends. I have spent the entire day reading that book. I finished it. My good friend Shelby casually mentioned yesterday that I might enjoy a book called Twilight.
I do realize now, that I may be one of only a handful of people who hadn’t heard of this series before.

Did she know that it would cause me to completely ignore my family? I think she did. I vaguely recall her whispering in the phone, “It consumes my thougts.”
It was so hard to go to sleep last night. I read until my eyes were too heavy to stay open. I read as soon as I woke up until the constant pleas for breakfast from the boys were too much to ignore.
I literally had to force myself to go through the usual morning routine. Make the bed. Check. Do the breakfast dishes. Check. Throw in a load of laundry. Check. Shower….eh! We’ll skip that, now where is that book?
I sat in the middle of the lawn and read while the boys played outside. When they asked for lunch finally at 2 o’ clock, I told them we were skipping it today. An experiment to see if they would eat their dinner better. After another hour they were begging for an apple or some cheese or something.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever boys, whatever you can reach without my help. Just stop talking to me.”
I don’t know if every copy has a little teaser of the next book in the series, but mine did! And it is all I can do to restrain myself from running to the bookstore and buying a copy right now.
Tomorrow will have to be soon enough.

You know what it’s like when you find a really good book that instantly captures your attention and you don’t want to do anything else but read it?
Once, when Kelly and I went to Europe for a month (pre-kids, of course) we were wandering around London and went into a little book shop. I saw a copy of The Catcher In The Rye on a table. I had never read it, and it’s red cover was calling to me. I bought it and began reading it in bed that night. After Kelly went to sleep, I stayed awake to read. I just couldn’t put it down. I was utterly captivated. Even when Kelly woke up after a couple of hours and squinted at the clock then grunted at me to turn the light off, I went into the bathroom and read in the bathtub. I finished it in one night.
Same thing happened when I read The DaVinci Code. I couldn’t read it all in one night, because I have kids that need to be fed, dressed, etc… But I did sneak away into the bathroom to read, which is not as easy as it sounds. It’s hard to ignore fingers under the door, and notes being shoved underneath that say things like, “wut ar u doing in ther?”
Steinbeck’s East of Eden had the same effect. That was a really good book. Long, but wonderful all the way to the end. I was mentally exhausted after I read it. I had to wait a couple of months before I read anything else.
So, the point is, that today I have started reading just such a book. I cannot guarantee the quality or quantity of posts until I finish this thing. At the rate I’m plowing through this baby, it won’t be long. Until then…

I mentioned this before, but am now going to elaborate on the book I listened to in my truck while I drove to Manti. I was really looking forward to the drive, because I would be all by myself and this is a rare treat.
The night before Jill’s wedding, I was browsing the iTunes store looking for something new and fabulous to load on my iPod. I found some Dane Cook that I was really tempted to get, I even listened to a few samples and I was laughing so hard that by the end of it, both my stomach and my face hurt.
But, I was on my way to a religious ceremony and I just didn’t think this would put my mind in the right place.
Which brings me to The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.

The whole time I was listening to this book, I wanted to underline certain passages. It was so eye-opening and wonderful in so many ways. And because I am not qualified to reveiw this book, I won’t. What I will do, is tell you that:
1. You should read it.
2. I have a demon that whispers things in my ear, and I have been listening!
3. I have given my own personal demon a name. I have a strong feeling that it is a she-devil and that her name is Bethesda.
4. Now that I am aware of her plot, I am doing some counter plotting of my own.
5. I am now thinking of my life in terms of ‘Pre-Screwtape Letters’ and ‘Post-Screwtape Letters’.