Erin

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The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

“Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the respo… Continue

Added by Erin on May 7, 2008 at 9:06pm — 1 Comment

Desert Flower by Waris Dirie

Desert Flower served as an excellent introduction to the nomadic culture of the Somali desert. Somalia, as described by Dirie, is a beautiful and dangerous place. The people who inhabit the desert must use all their strength to create a life using only sand and the little water that can be found. It is this strength that enabled Dirie to survive female genital mutilation, living as a servant in England, and finally achieving success as a model. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, find… Continue

Added by Erin on May 7, 2008 at 9:04pm — No Comments

April Reads

My Enemy’s Cradle by Sara Young - Finished 4/30/08 The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham - Finished 4/28/08 The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander - Finished 4/25/08 Fifth Born by Zelda Lockhart - Finished 4/… Continue

Added by Erin on May 1, 2008 at 7:40pm — No Comments

Fifth Born

Fifth Born is the story of Odessa, a young girl living in a large, dysfunctional family. Her mother is incapable to caring for her children (but continues to get to get pregnant) and her father is an alcoholic. Lockhart follows Odessa’s life from the death of her grandmother at age three, through her teenage years. We are witness to the tragedy and abuse that Odessa must confront at every turn, as well as her salvation. This novel was a quick and enjoyable read. The characters wer… Continue

Added by Erin on May 1, 2008 at 7:36pm — No Comments

The Pub '08 Challenge

The Challenge: Read eight books published in 2008. I am excited about this challenge, because I want to add more recent books to my TBR pile. Mistaken Identity by Don & Susie Van Ryn - Finished 4/08 My Enemy's Cradle by Sara Young - Finished 4/30 Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell Can't wait to see what everyone else is reading. Continue

Added by Erin on April 30, 2008 at 11:24pm — 1 Comment

Pickin' Books

I am currently reading My Enemy’s Cradle by Sara Young. I chose this book based on a review posted by Catherine at Catherine Wheels. So far, this novel is great! The last three books I read have all been wonderful, and they were all found through fellow bloggers. Coincidence? No way! I started thinking about the books I have read this year that I did not enjoy. I picked all of these books, sure that I would love them. I'm starti… Continue

Added by Erin on April 29, 2008 at 8:37pm — No Comments

The Painted Veil

This story begins with the very unlikable Kitty Fane. She is selfish, vain, and is bored with her husband. After an adulterous affair, Kitty travels with her husband to an area stricken by cholera. Kitty begins to work in the nearby convent while the nuns nurse those stricken with the disease. During this time, Kitty attempts to repair her broken marriage. Just when she begins to make amends, tragedy strikes. Kitty is left alone to face her demons. I enjoyed watching Kitty’s character evolve t… Continue

Added by Erin on April 28, 2008 at 7:17pm — 1 Comment

A - Z Reading Challenge

The Challenge: Read 52 books. Each author and title should begin with a different letter of the alphabet. Authors A - Alexander, Robert - The Kitchen Boy B - C - Coulter, Catherine - Wizards Daughter D - E - F - G - H - Hooper, Kay - After Caroline I - J - K - Koontz, Dean - The Darkest Evening of the Year L - Lockhart, Zelda - Fifth Born M - Matheson, Richard - Hell House N - O - P - Pico… Continue

Added by Erin on April 27, 2008 at 7:00pm — 3 Comments

100+ Reading Challenge

I have used my first reading challenge to set my goal for the year. I think 100 books is very realistic. We'll see how far I get. 1. After Caroline by Kay Hooper 2. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls 3. Wideacre by Philippa Grego… Continue

Added by Erin on April 27, 2008 at 7:00pm — No Comments

The Kitchen Boy

I checked out this book on the recommendations of several other bloggers. I have always been interested in the fate of Nicholas II and his family, so it seemed a natural choice. I was pleasantly surprised. The Kitchen Boy was a quick and very enjoyable read. Beginning as the Romanovs are in exile, Alexander traces their final days and the events leading to their execution. The story is told by Leonka, a servant, who works in the Tsar's kitchen. Because of his close proximity to the Romanov fami… Continue

Added by Erin on April 27, 2008 at 6:30pm — No Comments

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