Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Whatcha Readin'???

I've read some pretty good books lately. I finished The Pact, by Jodi Picoult a couple of nights ago. I liked it and it kept me up late several evenings. It was the kind of book that starts with "main event" and then you go back in time to see how everyone got to that point, and then it concludes with what happens after the event. I've read 2 other of her books (My Sister's Keeper and Nineteen Minutes) so, I was aware that she generally throws a pretty big twist in at the end of the book. Also, when I was about 1/2 way through the book, I admitted on fb that I was considering skipping to the end because I was dying to find out what really happened....holy cow, the "comments" from my "friends" started flying in about not doing that and how reading the end would "ruin it". So, I listened and didn't skip to the end, but my anticipation was way up....probably too high....because, I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed with the end. Overall, it was a great book and I highly recommend it, but just enjoy it, don't expect an amazing ending....it was just an ending, IMO.



Before that, I read DaVinci Code. I thought that was excellent. I know as a Catholic, I'm supposed to think that it was an awful book, but I really didn't think so. I thought the story was so clever and the symbolism stuff was so interesting. It did not make me doubt my faith, but it was really interesting. I think that I have a pretty good grasp of which parts were real and which parts were fiction, but I would really like to get a hold of a book with the Catholic church's rebuttal to what was presented in the book.




Before that, I read Escape by Carolyn Jessop. It was about an polygamist wife that escaped from the FLDS cult with her 8 children. Her husband is a big-wig in that group from Texas that had all of those kids removed last year by DCFS. He's got like 6 or 7 wives and about 60 kids. Carolyn Jessop was married to him when she was 18 and he was 50...yuck! It is crazy to think people are living like that today, in this country. But, the book was very interesting!




I'm always looking for books that have the right balance of juiciness and actually learning something. Up until last year, my reading mostly consisted of magazines. I feel like I've been missing out on some really good and interesting books. I'm now trying to catch up...much to the chagrin of Spencer who does not enjoy sleeping with my reading light on, late into the night. :)

My dilemma is now what I should read next. I got Three Cups of Tea, from Amazon, which is supposed to be very good. I also will be receiving Pandora Prescription today or tomorrow. I don't know anything about it, but my cousin raved about it so, I thought I'd give it a try. I am also considering reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Spencer and I actually started to watch the movie a few years ago and couldn't get into it. We shut it off pretty quickly. The only reason that I want to read it is because I am going to Savannah next weekend for a girls' weekend. I have never been to Savannah before and the extent of my knowledge of Savannah is that it is in Georgia.....it is warmer there than it is here.....and,, the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was set there. I'm thinking that reading the book might be a good idea. Did you read it? Is it good? I know it won awards and stuff, but I don't always see eye-to-eye with those people that hand out art awards. What do you think??









8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is an amazing book. The movie (like most book movies) doesnt do it justice (though I love John Cusak).

The book gives you insight into a lot of Savannah culture and archticture...and hopefully groups you WON'T see on your trip!

Cathy said...

Yes... Savannah is in Georgia.. it's the far north east corner of the state... not far from the ocean!! (It's only about 45 minutes from Hilton Head Island) In fact, Winni took me there this past Christmas and we took tons of pictures. We walked along the riverfront.. very beautiful and a lot of historical landmarks. Savannah is also known as the largest port... a lot of ships impoting and exporting stuff. It was cool watching two huge cargo ships passing each other on the little river... I don't know how they do it!!

BTW... If you are a "Paula Deen" fan... this is her town!! You will find tons of her books and stuff all over the place... she even has a restuarant downtown Savannah! ;)

Enjoy and bring the warm weather back home!!

Samantha said...

Hey Kelly, I've read all the Jodi Picoult books you talked about. Nineteen Minutes was riveting! Currently, I am reading Devil In the White City. It is a non fiction account of the World's Fair in Chicago and a murderer who preys on women who come to town. Very interesting!

I also loved DaVinci Code, but the movie was absolutely horrible.

Kelly said...

Ok Eric, I'll give it a shot. I picked it up from the library today.

Thanks for the info Cat. I think I'll skip the Paula Dean stuff. ;)

Samantha, I agree about 19 Minutes. That was an excellent book and really makes you think. That was my favorite of her books so far. I read Devil in the White City last year. I loved all of the Chicago history in that book. The Museum of Science & Industry is from that World's fair and it amazed me that it seems that that building was one of the more minor buildings in the fair...it must have been amazing! Very interesting!!!

Theresa said...

You HAVE to read The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. I am really liking it. In light of my recent typo debacle, I'll say I meant to capitalize HAVE.
Theresa

Anonymous said...

The Shack by Willaim Paul Young. Very, very interesting and spiritfulled. It is a story with a lot of depth. Love Elaine

By the way, I just caught up on the post over the last few days - Loved the question and answers - made me laugh. Also, I LOVE that picture of Ben.

Anonymous said...

I just posted on how you always inspire me Kelly. Now my to do list just grew , I want to read all the books you and your readers talked about, how will I ever get them all read when I have trouble reading a few minutes a day with all the interruptions?

Theresa said...

FYI I just finsihed The Shack in real book form (not on my Kindle) You are welcome to it if you want it.
Theresa