Voting Closed

Ok, I think it's been a sufficient amount of time, so I will close voting on Mendy's choices. We will be reading The Once and Future King, which I hear is hefty, so start early! Thanks, Mendy.

Mendy's Choices

My choices are "Michael's Favorite Books I've Never Read"

(1) Penrod by Booth Tarkington--a coming of age novel which Michael claims is hilarious. I've also heard President Monson quote from it over the pulpit (I've never seen my Michael so happy!) http://www.amazon.com/Penrod-Library-Indiana-Classics-Tarkington/dp/0253203619

(2) The Once and Future King by T.H. White-- a novel about King Aurthur's life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Once_and_Future_King

(3) An American Childhood by Annie Dillard-- a memoir of a happy childhood (I think) http://www.pschulze.com/subweb/americachild/

Okay, so there are my choices. Won't my Michael be so happy when I finally read of of his favorite books!

May Book

Ok, looks like The Book Thief won for May. Cheri will be hosting that on May 1st, I believe. If you need to have it at your house, contact Cheri to see if she is willing to accommodate you.

As for our next few books, I know it seems early, but try to think of some book choices. June is coming up faster than you think! So, July and August at least, but also September if you can, post your book choices in the next month so we can vote on them! (by the way, I like this new poll program much better than the old one. You can do it yourself, or I will, but this one seems to be working much better.)

One more item: Nicole, since you are leaving in August, would you like to host one more time? I'm sure no one would mind if we scoot down and have you choose! Just let us know.

May Books

Ok, here is a poll for our May book. I think I got all the suggestions in there. Vote by March 15th please.

March and Beyond

So as you can see, we are now reading Pope Joan by Donna Woodfolk Cross. Jenni will be hosting at Corinne's house on March 6th.

After that, we will be reading Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo in April hosted by Brenda.

Cheri would like us to choose the books to choose from for May. I know many of us wanted to read The Book Thief, but please place other ideas in the comments section. After we get a few I'll post a poll for those.

June's book is The Richest Man in Babylon hosted by Jen.

So, we're almost all caught up on our future reading! Mendy, Jann, and Kathy, start thinking about some choices for us. We'll need them in a couple months, but you are welcome to put them up any time you feel the inspiration.

Happy Reading!

Galileo's Daughter

by Dava Sobel.

We had a very good discussion of Galileo's Daughter on Feb 7th. Everyone found the book to be quite interesting, and had learned (or remembered) things that they hadn't known. We began by giving a brief synopsis of the book for those that hadn't finished it. We talked a bit about the differences between the 17th century way of life vs our own, as well as about convent life, which we hadn't really known before. I personally liked the discussions in the book on physics and Galileo's discoveries.

Yummies were italian in nature, veggie tray, tomatoes stuffed with cottage cheese and sprinkled with italian herbs, grapes, and Margherita Pizza. Yum!

Prospects for JUNE!!!

Okay, so I am WAY past the threatened deadline. But in my defense I have been SLAVING away in Primary where most of you have a child or two. :) Also, I have been thinking FAR too hard on what my choices should be. It's a big deal because I probably won't be able to give reading choices for another year...most likely. :)

Here goes:

• The Color Code, Taylor Hartman, Ph.D.--"Taylor Hartman's The Color Code: A New Way to See Yourself, Your Relationships, and Life introduces a fresh method for analyzing your own personality and behavior--as well as those of people around you--and then utilizing that knowledge to improve workplace and personal relationships. The author, a psychologist and leadership coach, offers a remarkably astute system for grouping everyone into categories denoted by a color: red (power wielders), blue (do-gooders), white (peace keepers), and yellow (fun lovers). He then explains how to ensure that all possible alliances between them function at optimum effectiveness."---Amazon.com

I know we've mentioned the "Color Code" a time or two in conversation and some of us have read it while others haven't. I have never actually read the entire thing, but would love to re-test and reassess myself. What do you think?

• The Richest Man In Babylon, George S. Clason--"What can a book written in the 1920s tell modern investors about their finances? A whole lot if it's George Clason's delightful set of parables that explain the basics of money. This is a great gift for a graduate or anyone who seems baffled by the world of finance and a wonderful, refreshing read for even the most experienced investor." --Los Angeles Times

My Husband and I have read this and LOVED it! I believe EVERY ONE should read it once a year.

• The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman, Ph.D.--"Unhappiness in marriage often has a simple root cause: we speak different love languages, believes Dr. Gary Chapman. While working as a marriage counselor for more than 30 years, he identified five love languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. In a friendly, often humorous style, he unpacks each one. Some husbands or wives may crave focused attention; another needs regular praise. Gifts are highly important to one spouse, while another sees fixing a leaky faucet, ironing a shirt, or cooking a meal as filling their "love tank." Some partners might find physical touch makes them feel valued: holding hands, giving back rubs, and sexual contact. Chapman illustrates each love language with real-life examples from his counseling practice.
  
• How do you discover your spouse’s – and your own – love language? Chapman’s short questionnaires are one of several ways to find out. Throughout the book, he also includes application questions that can be answered more extensively in the beautifully detailed companion leather journal (an exclusive Amazon.com set).
  
• Each section of the journal corresponds with a chapter from the book, offering opportunities for deeper reflection on your marriage. Although some readers may find choosing to love a spouse that they no longer even like –hoping the feelings of affection will follow later– a difficult concept to swallow, Chapman promises that the results will be worth the effort. "Love is a choice," says Chapman. "And either partner can start the process today." --Cindy Crosby. "
• --This text refers to the Amazon.com Exclusive Journal & Paperback Book Set.
  

I haven't read this one, but had my husband get it to read while he was away for 6 weeks. Kevin keeps telling me I "really need to read this one".