Hang on Friends…there’s a little Amazon gift-card give away at the end of this post!
Holy cow I’ve been putting off this post. I’m feeling a bit like a failure and I avoid things that make me feel like a failure! In 2008 I read 52 books! Which for me was … well, really good! But last year…shoot. I’m gonna level with you. I baked my way through 2009. I’m cushioned with 10lbs. (that’s all I’m admitting to anyhoo) of chubilicious extra tonnage to prove it. So with all my baking…I didn’t read as many books as the year before. I hate to go backwards! Anyhoo, here’s the rundown:
I read 40 books. BUT 7 of those were cookbooks. YES, I read them cover to cover but cookbooks…really?
Okay, to make matters worse only 1 of those would be considered a “Classic”…
I took the easy way out last year. I had a lot of cooking and eating to do after all.
The Classic I read is my daughter Stephanie’s all time favorite book…people, I listened to this one on my iPod WHILE reading Stephanie’s copy complete with “teacher notes”. (She was a High School English teacher before Ellie came along) This book was NOT easy. Not fun. I am probably the only one who thinks this, Amazon reviews are stellar.
I will however, tell you one line from the book pierced right into my heart and has come back to me a hundred times since… “don’t you think a dream would feel shy if she were found walking around in the waking world?” I wrote about what that said to me in a post HERE.
Over all though, this book was a tough one. (For me at least) But I’ve included it since it was my ONLY Classic!
Moving right along…
Then I read a bunch of fiction books…here are my favorites:
My oldest daughter Bethany and her wonderful hubby Darren’s wedding was in Charleston South Carolina last year, and this book by Karen White was set in Charleston. It was so steeped in Southern charm that I couldn’t get enough. And as a bonus the “House on Tradd Street” was about a historic home being restored. And I love old houses. Fun book.
This wonderful Anne Rivers Siddons story took place at a cottage on the coast of Maine…ahhhhh, delightful and a bit more substance than a simple beach read.
Seattle was the backdrop for Firefly Lane. I was drawn to this book for one reason. The cover. I enjoyed it. I can’t shout and jump up and down over it but I would recommend it. (I mean, Seattle…the book took me there. That alone was worth the read…)
Now, a bit more serious read…
Okay…so you know, if we’ve been hanging out together for very long, last year, ahemmmm, my year of being Tickled by Joy was more like a “lean into the pain” kinda year. (Wrote about that HERE) This book was one of The Husband’s favorites…it took me a little longer to appreciate it, but I now join him in loving the message. This little blurb says it best:
“I’ll tell you what a tragedy is. I’ll show you how to waste your life. Consider this story for Feb. 1998 Reader’s Digest: A couple took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast 5 years ago when he was 59 & she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30 foot trawler, play softball and collect shells…Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: Look, Lord. See my shells. That is a tragedy.” John Piper
Yep, that’s what the book’s about…making sure your life matters. (Timing is everything with this book, at certain times in my life it would have really made me mad)
Cookbooks…
Okay…now to the cookbooks I loved this year. I’m not talking about The Pioneer Woman Cooks because you all know it’s the best cookbook EVER written! But that one aside, I love this pretty baking book…Two sisters wrote this and they’re darling. They gathered old recipes from everywhere and put the sweet ones in this cookbook.
Drum roll please….my favorite book of 2009 was:
Again, 2009 was a bit of a “transitional year” for our faith and this book helped us with lots of questions and doubts. It’s not for the faint of heart or the person who believes God’s main goal is to bless us with prosperity, happiness, good health and perfect lives…just sayin. Nothin wrong with that belief system if it’s working for you…go with it. But we’d hit a wall and God used this book to help break it down. I highly recommend it only if you’ve had a shattered dream, are in pain and have doubts and questions that won’t go away.
Now…I want to tell you what I’m SUPER excited about for 2010…one of the books in my “Top 10 Favorite Books of All Time” is , Blue Like Jazz. It was written by Donald Miller.
Well, Donald Miller has a new book…A Million Miles in a Thousand Years I just started it and I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s about “story”, our story…this life we’re living. He’s brutally honest and I love his writing but mainly, so far he just has my mind in overdrive.
****UPDATE****Since I wrote this post I’m almost finished with the book and I’m going to tell you…I’m pretty sure I’ve already found my Favorite Book of 2010. He is wrapping words around my experiences of the past several years. I can’t tell you how much I recommend this book. Truly.
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Now … let’s do a little giveaway!
How about a $25.00 gift card to:
Here’s all you do…leave a comment for a chance to win! Tell me about one of the books you read last year! I’m still making my 2010 reading list!
If you don’t already follow me…then: follow me! (Subscribe by RSS) and leave me a comment telling me you’re following for a second chance to win! (The follow buttons are in the upper right corner!)**If you DO already follow me leave me a comment letting me know for a second chance!**
Follow me on Twitter (Upper right corner) and leave a comment telling me. If you already follow on twitter, leave a comment telling me that too!(That’s a third chance!)
If you Tweet this “give away” leave me another comment for yet another chance!
Just leave a comment for each of the four things and you’ll have four chances!
I’ll pick the winner using Random.org after midnight on Sunday and announce on Monday Morning!
Where do I start? In the fiction with a punch section I would say read “Wisdom Hunter” by Randall Arthur. It will cure you forever of the God-in-a-box syndrome. I have read it every year since 1995. Hands down one of, if not the best, book of 2009 for me was The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns. I would recommend Unfashionable by Tullian Tchivvidjian. Another is Jesus Loves You this I Know by Craig Gross & Jason Harper. I would also recommend the two books by Francis Chan. I read a lot and cannot possibly tell you each one that touched me. Have fun reading!
.-= Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..Feeding a Dead Man =-.
Bill I just wrote them all down…can’t wait to check the out on Amazon!!! Wisdom Hunter sounds so familiar but I don’t think I’ve read it…I’ll get it.
Thanks for the wonderful reviews. I’m going to have to check out Donald Millers new book. 🙂
Hmmm…so hard to pick a favorite from last year. One of my favorites would have been The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain.
Some of my all time favorites include: Eat, Pray, Love; The Time Traveler’s Wife; One Year Off; and Water for Elephants.
I’m currently reading The Glass Castle and People of the Book.
Happy Reading!
Deb
Deb, I loved Water For Elephants and Time T Wife! I haven’t read People of the Book … I’ll look for it!
I follow 🙂
.-= Deb´s last blog ..Frost Sunday Morning =-.
Spent last year reading anything by Debbie Macomber, one after another. It was the most I could handle during a very trying medical year. I needed happy endings rather than anything too deep and thought provoking. Glad to say all is well now and I can get back to reality and really believe everything will be fine.
Lauralee, first I’m thankful that all is well now. Yay! I’m sorry you had a rough year. But in a rough year who better to read than Debbie Macomber. I love her. I read 4 or 5 of her Christmas Books this past December. What happy books…hugs
Thanks for all the great reading ideas. A friend and I are starting a book club in just a few weeks and I can’t wait to get started.
Last year I spent a lot of time reading food related books also most dealt with the issue of Real Food. Michael Pollen, Nina Planck, Barbara Kingsglover just to name a few authors.
Jeanne…I have always wanted to either be in or start a book club! Keep me posted on how it goes and what you guys are reading!
I, too, LOVE reading cookbooks cover to cover! I bought the Cooking Yourself Thin cookbook based on the show with the same name on Lifetime. Worth every penny and then some!
Tara I bought that book and loaned it to my daughter! Thx for reminding me!!!! Gotta get that back and use it!
My favorite book of last year was UNCHARTED by Angela Hunt….very thought provoking and I couldn’t wait to get to the end! It had a twist that made you want to give it to everyone that you know is sitting on the fence about giving their life to Christ…It made me think about what I value most in this earthly life and what if that were taken away from me….how would I deal with it??
.-= Jennifer Clause´s last blog ..MY SURGERY DATE…FINALLY! =-.
I love Angela Hunt Jennifer! I will get this one…thx!
Thanks for all the book reviews. Sadly, most of my reads for 2009 were textbooks! But I did manage to get a little recreational readings in too. My favorite is The Shack by William P Young. I’ll be reading more in 2010 after graduation. Blessings, SusanD
.-= SusanD´s last blog ..Throne Trip Tuesdays – 1/19/10 =-.
Susan, I loved The Shack too! Yay you for graduating this year!!! In 2009 you just got smarter with all those text books!
I’m already a follower of you here. Have been for a while. Thoroughly enjoyed your Living My Legacy series. Blessings, SusanD
.-= SusanD´s last blog ..Throne Trip Tuesdays – 1/19/10 =-.
Oh yeah….I already follow you on Twitter too. 🙂
.-= SusanD´s last blog ..Throne Trip Tuesdays – 1/19/10 =-.
And…..I retweeted about it too. Hope you get tons of hits. Blessings, SusanD
.-= SusanD´s last blog ..Throne Trip Tuesdays – 1/19/10 =-.
Now, this is my kind of post! I also read Cycle Guy’s favorite book, Wisdom Hunter, and loved it. And Deb, I loved The Glass Castle. I read The Help in December. LOVED IT. The Help may have been my favorite 2010 book. I read several Anne Rivers Siddons–good too. I really liked a debut novel by Tosca Leigh–Demon–a Memoir (Christian fiction–really different!). I love anything by Elizabeth Berg. I read We are all Wecome Here last year–incredible. And a couple of Jodi Picoult’s–Handle with Care, Nineteen Minutes. I read anything she writes. I love Jenny B Jones. She’s a high school teacher who writes Christian fiction for teenage girls. Really dry sense of humor. So many more. I re-read Shattered Dreams. Must stop now….
Julie & Deb…The Glass Castle killed me. I’m a “worst cast scenario” kinda parent. And those parents …holy cow, I was a nervous wreck !
Julie, I’ve tried 2ce to read a Jodi Picoult…just couldn’t . I’m going to try your really different Christian fiction book!
My favorite book of last year was The Hunger Games.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom
Amanda, I haven’t heard of The Hunger Games…I’m gonna take a look on Amazon! Hugs
I follow via google reader.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom
I follow on twitter.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom
I tweeted. http://twitter.com/amandawk/status/7944547906
amandarwest at gmaildotcom
Okay, I must admit that I absolutely don’t know how a person has time to read that many books. I am completely impressed and feel like a worm at the same time. I start way more books than I ever finish. This year I’ve really only read inspirational books. I did buy a couple “just for fun” books but my heart has been other places. I am going to order “Shattered Dreams”. That sounds like it could touch me in a profound way. I always enjoy your blogs! Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad to see Firefly Lane and Off Season on your list – I have both of these in my “to read” pile. Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay was my favorite book last year. I love to read cookbooks cover to cover too 🙂
.-= [email protected]´s last blog ..PW’s Bread Pudding =-.
Well, I am here to tell you you should feel ok about your year last year……apparently God did a lot of growing you during your year of baking/reading cookbooks. Don’t look back at what you should’ve…..look ahead my friend. God is using you thru your blog, using you to touch many lives….as for reading: I failed much more so than you. I would like to get back to reading……have hit and miss many things of late. But you do inspire me, so thanks for the list of recommendations!
take care!
Suzanne
.-= suzanne´s last blog ..Enjoy your Sunday, friends! =-.
“The Shack” by William P. Young…great book!
I’m a follower of your blog. I have been reading books by Elizabeth Gaskell this past year (listening, mainly): Cranford, Wives and Daughters, and Ruth. The latter is about a single mother. A heart-wrenching read and amazing to think that it was written in the 1800s.
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Instant Gratification in Autumn =-.
I’m a follower on twitter now!
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Instant Gratification in Autumn =-.
I retweeted! Thanks for the contest!
One of my favorite from last year was Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet. It is an autobiography of an autistic savant… and believe it or not, one of those I just couldn’t put down. Absolutely fascinating! He is unusual in that he has the verbal ability to describe what his mind sees. A very uplifting book, full of hope for anyone with challenges in their life.
Oh how I love to read! Cookbooks are almost an addiction for me! My new favorite that I got from the library and then sat down and read is Taste Of Home Cookies, 623 irresistible delights! Oh my gosh, I’ve tried several recipes and had to order one of my own from Amazon! I also like Diane Mott Davidson mysteries and Joanna Fluke mysteries. They have recipes in them! lol Thanks for doing such a great giveaway!
.-= Carol Harlow´s last blog ..Lemon Muffins =-.
I follow you via Google Reader! I love your blog!
.-= Carol Harlow´s last blog ..Lemon Muffins =-.
I’m following you on twitter!
.-= Carol Harlow´s last blog ..Lemon Muffins =-.
I tweeted about your giveaway!
.-= Carol Harlow´s last blog ..Lemon Muffins =-.
I am a knitting junkie so I love the books by Kate Jacobs. I just recently finished reading the book Knit the Season. It followed in the these of her previous books that were dealing with these same characters.
I also read the book Confessions of a Closet Mater Baker. What an interesting book iwth factoids and recipes.
I did a lot of enjoyment reading this past year! I finished off the series of books by Diane Mott Davidson with FATALLY FLAKY and I also enjoyed the Kate Jacobs books. have ordered The Help and think it will be a great book to read this year. I will make a list of some of the suggestions here and add them to my to be read pile! I’m a fairly new follower and excited to find such inspiration here.
.-= Linda @ A La Carte´s last blog ..Half Price Monday for 2nd Time Around Tuesday =-.
Robin: Wisdom Hunter & its follow-up Brotherhood of Betrayal may be hard to find. If you want to read them send me an email with your address and i will send my copies to you to read and then you can send them back.
.-= Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..Feeding a Dead Man =-.
I read “Just Between You and Me” by Jenny B. Jones just a couple weeks ago, and it was phenomenal. I felt like I was reading my life story as I got around the last part of the novel, or what was going to be my life story, and so it really started me thinking. I can’t say much more since it’ll give some of the book away, and I’ve always hated that, but I did think it was the double virtue of thought-provoking and just plain amazing! :]
.-= Annie´s last blog ..Yes, I AM Anti-Twilight =-.
Oh my goodness….Amazon and I have a close relationship and not sure it’s a healthy one as it’s rather one sided as I give and I give and I give, LOLOLOL! Let’s see…my favorite book of last year…..Probably St. Teresa of Avila, Way of Perfection — not an “easy” book but one that has been so valuable in my walk with Jesus.
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Favorite Friday =-.
I subscribe already!
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Favorite Friday =-.
I follow you on Twitter!
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Favorite Friday =-.
And I tweeted, or twittered or whatever the proper phrase is! 🙂 Have a wonderful day!
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Favorite Friday =-.
One of the best I read last year was “Recovering Charles” by Jason F. Wright. Thanks for sharing your books with us!
Wendy I wrote this one down to look for! thx for the tip!
Robin,
I read a multitude of books last year but no where CLOSE to what I hoped to read so I understand the pain. 🙂 A few fantastic ones were : Soul Cravings by McManus, Eat, Pray, Love, Water for Elephants, Edgar Sawtelle, Three Cups of Tea, The Last Lecture, and Under the Overpass (probably my favorite). I also love David Crowder’s Praise Habit and Henri Nouwen’s Reaching Out as long time favorites.
I am going to grab the Piper and the new Miller as well, because Blue Like Jazz is one of my all time favorites and I didn’t realize he had a new one out. Thanks for the ideas…and I cracked up on the Kristin Hannah b/c I passed it over in the bargin section at B&N after reading the jacket but LOVED the cover; I may have to go back for a second look.
Shannon
I now also follow via rss on my yahoo page 🙂
i twitted this.
.-= jenn´s last blog ..January Ronald McDonald House Card =-.
i follow you via RSS.
my favorite series from 2009 is not a new one, but an oldie. set in chicago, where i lived for 15 years, the o’malley series by dee henderson is about a family of orphans who found each other at a children’s home and decided to become their own family as adults. they are all in some form of public service, and their stories are mystery/romances.
.-= jenn´s last blog ..January Ronald McDonald House Card =-.
Jenn, I think you and I have similar taste in books so I’m going to look into those! Have you read Looking For Salvation at the Dairy Queen yet?? (It’s good )xoxo
Now, I’m following you on twitter…
My favorite for 2009 was The Help. My Bible study is working through Shattered Dreams currently. Like you said- not for the faint of heart. It is thought provoking, convicting…on my mind constantly. I follow you already and look forward to your daily posts. Happy reading for 2010!
Jane…I’m almost done with The Help. Wow! Since you’re already doing Shattered Dreams go ahead and get A Million Miles in a Thousand Years… 🙂
love you (sometimes lets do dinner and talk about the Shattered Dreams book!!!)
Read several books last year. The entire Cedar Cove Series by Debbie MaComber. Loved all the mystery and suspense. She is such a wonderful author. I love visiting different places with her and feel like I know the people of Port Orchard, Washington. Last summer was Cedar Cove days. Would have love to have gone but had to stay in Tennessee. I just finished reading the 5th book in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. “The Fiery Cross”. Now onto “A Breath of Snow and Ashes” which is the 6th book. This is my favorite series that I’ve ever read. Time travel and Scotish history. Ymm. YMmm.
Also read several books from Tales from Grace Chapel Inn series from Guideposts and have started a new series from Guideposts called Home to Heather Creek. This series is about 3 children whose mother and father are kiiled and they go to live with their grandparents in the rural Midwest. The stories are about the adjustments that have to be made by the grandparents and grandchildren and the differences in their lives. This series hits close to home since my husband and I are raising our granddaughter whose birthday is today. 5 years old! Such a joy and blessing!
Faith! Happy 5th birthday to your little love!!! I have never seen the series from Guideposts but it sounds like something I would love. Prayers to you and your hubby as you make such an impact on that sweet girl. xoxo(I love the Debbie Macomber books because of her settings too. I think in heaven I’m going to get to live in a small town!)
My favorite book (and emotionally hardest) I read in 2009 was The Shack. I have two daughters, 5 and 2, and the first few chapters were absolute torture for me. I ended up crying several times throughout the book. But, even with all the pain it caused me, I came closer to God through it. I have re-read the book three times (skipping the first few chapters) and will continue to do so whenever I feel my personal relationship with God slipping.
Yvonne, The Shack came to me at a time when I so needed and truly helped me see God in a more tender and loving way. I loved it.
I have followed your blog for quite some time now. Thank you for the encouragement and honesty in your words.
I signed up on Twitter just so I could follow you.
I Tweeted about your give-away. All my family will now be checking it out.
I have read and unbelievable number of craft books and cook books – cover to cover – these are my favorite.
I am an email follower and a happy one.
I’d say my favorite books of 2009 are a light read but very good! The “Cape Light Series” by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer. Every December since 2001 a new book has come out. Cape Light is a small seaside hamlet where folks still enjoy a strong sense of community and care about their neighbors. It doesn’t mean they don’t have any problems. It just means that when they do, someone is there to help.
The book I definitely want to read in 2010 is “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn. I’ve heard good things about this book and am very interested in reading it for myself.
.-= Eileen´s last blog ..Light and Fluffy Pancakes =-.
Eileen, I’ve seen those books and always wanted to read them. I wondered if they were similar in flavor to Debbie Macomber, I love the small small towns in her books…And you’ll love Heaven. I read it after my mom left this world and it was a great comfort to me. xoxo
I already follow your blog through Google Reader and enjoy it a lot!
.-= Eileen´s last blog ..Light and Fluffy Pancakes =-.
Favorite book of last year was , “Same kind of different at me”. LOVED LOVED LOVED IT! There is a sequel out that I can’t wait to get my hands on!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..This Valentine Day =-.
Michelle…like I told Vicky, I completely forgot about that book. A book just doesn’t get any better than that one and I had not idea about the sequel. I’ll look for it for sure~
The book that immediately comes to mind is Fieldwork. I think it is because I loved the mental images and it opened up a whole new field of study for methat I had no idea I would enjoy: anthropology.
.-= wayside wanderer´s last blog ..A Wayside Wanderer’s Day Book =-.
Fieldwork…I’m gonna look that one up on Amazon!
PS. I follow you on google reader. 🙂
.-= wayside wanderer´s last blog ..A Wayside Wanderer’s Day Book =-.
The best book I read last year was Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. I read it early last year and then found out when my hubby did some work for one of the sets in Charleston that there was a movie being made based on this book, it will release in February of this year! Great book, it was one of the few pleasure reads I had, other than that it was textbooks, and I’m pretty sure that you are not interested in those, I read them and I wasn’t very interested in them! (LOL)
.-= rene smith´s last blog ..I Love My Church =-.
Rene…I like Nicholas Sparks and it’s fun to rad a book before the movie comes out I think I’ll do that! And I looove Charleston. I’m so in awe of you and school! You go girl. hugs
I am mostly a lurker here, but I must tell you that you are one of my very favorites! My husband and I just finished reading Donald Miller’s newest book and we both loved it a lot!!! “Blue Like Jazz” was the first book we read by DM, and we loved that too. However, my number 1 book that I read last year was the BEST book I have ever read…”Crazy Love” by Francis Chan….wonderful and convicting. Other than the Bible, it’s next in line as the best.
Blessings, kathy
p.s. I don’t have a blog, I just read them 🙂
I’m so excited that you left a comment! It’s so nice to meet you!!! Okay, I keep hearing about Crazy Love…I’m ordering it ! Thanks for reading. xoxoxo
I had to go with Same Kind of Different as Me as one of my favorites, along with The Help although I waited to read till this year. I am just starting the Don Miller book and am now excited to get further along. I haven’t bought these yet but they are circling my list … Story Catcher by Christina Baldwin and Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. What a fun week!!
.-= Vicky´s last blog ..I couldn’t resist… =-.
Vicky!!!! How could I have forgotten The Same Kind of Different as Me…??? Oh my gosh that book. Yes, if I wasn’t beginning to forget things 🙂 that one would have been on my list!!!! I’m almost done with The Help and good heavens it’s wonderful too.
I want to talk to you when you’re done with Don Miller’s book to see what you think, I’m listening to it on my iPod for the 2nd time.
I’m jotting your others down…love u
One of the fiction books I read was Widow of the South. It is a historical fiction account of the family that lived at Carnton Plantation outside of Franklin, TN. We visited the historical site last fall and enjoyed hearing about it’s history as a Civil War field hospital.
.-= Donna M.´s last blog ..The Framing is Done! =-.
I love historical fiction Donna. That sounds like one I’ve heard of…I’ll keep my eyes open for it! Thx!!
Reread the series by Ted Dekker : Black, Red, and White, and the beginning or the end of the series Green! Really good author!Anything by him is fabo! Also, read The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. A teen vampire series but was really good. Read alot more but I can’t remember them. Doug tells me when I read it’s a sin…cause I don’t do anything else…at all. LOL!
Miss you!
Dani
Dani, girl I need to borrow some books!!! xoxo
I enjoyed reading “The Forgotten Garden” by Kate Morton. It was similar to the Secret Garden which was a childhood favorite.
Jackie, I loved The Secret Garden, I’ll put Forgotten Garden on my list to look for at the used bookstore!
Golfing with God – I read this book very slowly because I wanted to savor every word and not finish the book. I love a great read!
Nester…now that’s one I’ve not heard of! I’m wondering if it’s a book my golfing hubby would like!?
I read Geography of Bliss. FANTASTIC
Geography of Bliss…I’d buy that one for the title alone!!! thx for the tip!
I am following on Twitter!
its a few years old but The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks….well anything by him is great!
Erin, Nicholas Sparks is always a sure thing! 🙂
oh robin
thank you for sharing your book reviews… i’ve only ready (actually listened) to one of those… firefly lane… i enjoy her books because they are light and easy listening while i walk.
but you have my very curious now….i’m off to check out your list!!
congrats on all the reading you have done!
wonderful post! xxo, kim
Hey Kim…I love listening to books! I actually listened to Firefly Lane too. And the light and easy ones are so necessary! Hugs
I loved all the books by M.Gladwell. “Outliers” was probably the most memorable. He really makes you look differently on everyday subjects.
Thank you for a great givaway!
Julia, I’ve never read Gladwell. I love the idea though that the ordinary day to day things can be looked at differently! thx
I read Willow by Julia Hoban last year and it was amazing. One of my favorite books now.
Thanks for the tip on Julia Hoban. Sounds like a worth while read since it ended up being one of your favorites!
I follow you on twitter: @shootingstarmag
.-= ShootingStarsMag´s last blog ..Interview: White Collar’s Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay =-.
I discovered books on E-bay this past year and read through a lot of paperbacks. One I particularly enjoyed was “Lucy Gets Her Life Back” by Stef Ann Helm. Great read and lots of good food considering that the main character is a personal chef! I also enjoyed “It’s All About Him” by Denise Jackson (wife of country superstar, Alan Jackson). It is a wonderful story of a developing personal relationship with God through periods of great success and great trials. I love Kristen Hannah and am dying to get my hands on “Firefly Lane”!!!
.-= jane carter´s last blog ..Some of My Favorite Things… =-.
Hey Jane! I’ve heard all about Sarah Palin’s book on CNN and I’m curious to have a look at it, now even more so since you liked it!
Okay, a book with the main character a personal chef! Now that’s my kind of book. I jotted down the title! xoxo
By the way, I am a faithful follower and always look forward to your posts!!! Currently reading “Going Rogue” by Sarah Palin and am finding it very inspiring.
.-= jane carter´s last blog ..Some of My Favorite Things… =-.
A book I read in 2009 was Stealing Buddha’s Dinner, by Bich Minh Nguyen. It drew my attention because it was chosen for the Great Michigan Read for 2009, and so I knew it had to be good if the entire state of Michigan was reading it! The last book I knew that they chose for this was The Glass Castle, and that was fantastic, so I knew this one would be, too!
And it was–it was a great read. It’s the true story of a young girl who fled from Saigon in ’75, and the family ended up living here in Michigan. Her life revolves around her passion for American food and fitting in to American society, and how she wants to be like everyone else, and the ups and downs of her family’s life here. It’s really interesting, and I highly recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Buddhas-Dinner-Bich-Nguyen/dp/0670038326
I found your blog from a RT on Twitter!
Deb, I’m so happy to meet you! I hope you come back! This was a great review of Stealing Buddha’s Dinner. Makes me want to read it immediately.
I’m back! I’m enjoying reading about all these great books!
I got an Ipod Touch for Christmas, and I LOVE being able to read anywhere with it! I downloaded the Kindle app, the Barnes and Noble app, and another one called Stanza, and they all are GREAT! No struggling with holding a page open, and always there, even when you are just standing in the check out line at the store or whatever. There are lots of free books to read, too!
i loved “same kind of different as me.” LOVED it!
.-= brandiandboys´s last blog ..Comfort vs. Growth =-.
Hey Brandi! I loved that one two. Even Mike read it and we both just cried when we talked about it. Powerful. Hugs Sweetie
The Help is one of my absolute favs from the past year. Loved it.
Julie, I’m almost finished with The Help…amazing book, how many times have I said that !? 🙂
Hi Robin, I too read, Firefly Lane, but believe it or not I had never read All Creatures Great and Small until this summer. I really enjoyed reading about the English countryside. Now I need to read the entire series. As far as cookbooks, reading Julia Child’s My Life in France would have to be the closest thing to it.
Ann, I read All Creatures Great and Small in my twenty’s but I bet I’d love it even more now. (I’m thinking that’s a Classic? May have to put that on the Classic list!)
I am now a follower, and my favorite book this year was The Familar Stranger by Christina Berry…excellent book. I read over 150 books this year ( I do book reviews) so when the titles stay with me I know it was a great book!!!
Cindy…seriously I’m giving you a bow…150 books! Yay!!!! And when you say you liked The Familiar Stranger, I’m listening! Gonna find that one or order it from Amazon!
I’m horrible at choosing favourites, but one of the books I first read and loved in 2009 is How the Heather Looks by Joan Bodger.
Ikkinlala…I’m going to look into How Heather Looks. Thanks for the tip!
Well, my favorite book from last year was The Shack. It gave me a new perspective at viewing God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The human-ness of Mack’s issues really hit home. All in all, it was a wonderful book. I love when a book changes how you see this world and the next.
Thanks for the give-away opportunity.
Blessings,
Suzanne 🙂
Suzanne, so many of us loved The Shack and I think it gave me a new perspective as well.
I’m a follower now on my iGoogle! Thanks again!
Suzanne 🙂
I love the variety of things there are on your blog, and your reading advice is just great. Even if I teach English at college level (in France), I need some very well-written English from time to time (every other book I read is in English usually)!
I really liked Katherine Mansfield’ short stories this year, but I’d really recommend a French novel: L’affaire du cuisinier chinois (something like The Affair of the Chinese Chef, if it’s been translated) by Pascal Vatinel. This is wonderful if you want to know more about Middle Ages China, the relationships among nobility at that time & the importance of food in these provincial courts.
Thanks for the giveaway, and carry on, Robin!
Line, I’m so excited to get your recommendations. I would love to read a French novel! I’m jotting it down to look for it on Amazon! Thank you for visiting, looking forward to getting to know you a bit !
I read a really cute and funny book that I passed on, called My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison. It brought out the little kid in me 😛 It was a fun read!
Bunny, I haven’t heard of My Fair Godmother, but I love the name and since you said it was funny and brought out the little kid in you, how could I go wrong!? 🙂
Hehe! I do hope you’ll enjoy it 🙂
Twitter follower @bunnyb
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/bunnyb/status/7982804168
I love Amazon online!, I think my biggest thing of 2009 was reading through some of the cook book primers from Barbara Swell… I love anything of old so I enjoyed the history behind the women that were our baking and cooking pioneers. Right now I won a bid on ebay of Elizabeth Gaskells 1892 copy of Cranford. I realized life is to short to not read good books even if they are over a 100 years old.. 🙂
.-= Jeannie´s last blog ..Typical Farming Conversations =-.
My favorite book of 2009 is Echo In the Bone by Diana Gabaldon, the seventh book in a series. Awesome read!
I follow faithfully!
In a humorous vein, I read “Pilgrims” (Garrison Keilor). His books make me laugh out loud, and this was no exception! Tourists from Lake Woebegon in Rome. All the familiar characters acting in their typical ways. G.K. places himself into this story, too.
I could sure put that gift card to good use! Thanks for the give-away!
My fav book hands down is The Shack. Most books I speed read through but I
found myself reading it slowly almost savoring it!!! I’ve passed it around hoping
it came back to me because I want to read it a few more times. I knew if it didn’t come back it was meant to be and I could get another. Happily it rests on
my bookshelf!!!
P.S. I’m a follower.
Good morning, Robin! last year I read Shattered Dreams and Till We Have Faces. I say wow to both of them! I am already a follower.
Kindly, ldh
.-= ldh´s last blog ..Outdoor Wednesday and The One I Hold On To =-.
I now have you on Twitter!
.-= ldh´s last blog ..Outdoor Wednesday and The One I Hold On To =-.
I have Tweeted about your giveaway! That makes 4 chances for your sweet giveaway! Thanks much! 🙂
.-= ldh´s last blog ..Outdoor Wednesday and The One I Hold On To =-.
Last year I read Odd Thomas (again!) I absolutely love that book.
I also started the Dean Koontz Frankenstein series and am now ready to purchase the last one in the set which came out recently. So far I have loved his interpretation of Frankenstein.
I follow you on twitter.
twitter name: fokxxy
I subscribe through google reader (rss)
I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/fokxxy/status/7992450171
I’m a huge reader. This would be a great prize to win!
I’m a follower by email
I now follow you on twitter, also. That sounds a little stalker-ish. But I do want to say that I loved the garland. I found this blog through a Today’s Creative Blog link party.
Do cookbooks count?
I am not a big reader of books, except cookbooks and kids books 🙂
The last book I read was to my son, he bough it for me for Christmas as he knows how much I like cupcakes and cats. I read If you give a cat a cupcake.
{stop laughing 🙂 It’s true.}
I already get your rss feed and love seeing your updates.
I’m now following you on twitter I’m @createdbydiane
I tweeted the giveaway http://twitter.com/createdbydiane/statuses/7995117773
Wow, great book list for my next “must read” list. My favorite book last year was “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen. It started off as a nursing home tale and then delved into the intriging past of a young vet student during the depression years. If you have ever been fascinated by circus life, this was a real eye opener.
Two things.
1. The Pioneer Woman Cooks? Are you serious? Is it awesome?
2. I love reading as much as the next person. But we need more monster cookies. I will help you eat them.
I just finished The Irresistible Henry House which I got as an ARC but it is great! Very intriguing.
I love that you love to read:) A couple of my faves from last year were “Sacred Marriage”, “Grace-Based Parenting” and Andrew Peterson’s series “Eat of the Dark Sea of Darkness” and “North! or Be Eaten”. I already subscribe to your RSS and twitter:) Love you friend!
A little different I guess I’ve been reading cooking books and knitting books. Must be a phase. Since you like to cook too you might want to stop by for a visit.
Ok, Now I’m following you too.
twilight
Subscribe by RSS
follow on twitter-CJSMOMMY2005
One of my favourite books I have read in 2009 was “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini. I liked it very very much. Another one that I liked a lot was “The shadow of the wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I can really recommend both.
Better later than never! haha. I absolutely want to read the Tradd Street one! Ya know, I’m a Charleston lover!
I read Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge…. awesome eye opener for us women!
.-= Chele´s last blog ..The 3R’s – Something You Should Live By =-.
I am already a subscriber!
.-= Chele´s last blog ..The 3R’s – Something You Should Live By =-.
I am a follower on Twitter!
I tweeted too! 😉
.-= Chele´s last blog ..The 3R’s – Something You Should Live By =-.
You do WAY better at reading that I have in a long time! Not much reading time when you have a 3 year old running around. The one book I can think of that I read all the way through is about Mommy’s dealing with anger – nice, huh?
.-= Vanessa´s last blog ..I’m already thinking girly =-.
Robin,…I read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. It confirmed my opinion that success is affected by a variety of factors – some of which we have no control over.
.-= Aubien´s last blog ..Imaginary letters … =-.
following on Yahoo RSS
.-= Aubien´s last blog ..Imaginary letters … =-.
following you on twitter!
.-= Aubien´s last blog ..Imaginary letters … =-.
tweeted…kindof wackily..but tweeted…http://twitter.com/Aubien/status/8031134780
.-= Aubien´s last blog ..Imaginary letters … =-.
The Book Thief was one of my favorites.
Hi, Robin
I follow your tweets and your blog via google reader, how’s sweet Reba?
I have read several in 2009. Hmmm..The Thirteenth Tale was interesting.
And since Garden Spells, I have enjoyed Sarah Adddison Allen’s books and await her new one coming out this year.
God Bless,
Lizzette
Florida
I read ‘Fearless’ by Max Lucado in 2009! purposedrivenlife4you at gmail dot com
Subscribed! purposedrivenlife4you at gmail dot com
Following on Twitter! purposedrivenlife4you at gmail dot com
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/luvscontests/status/8047296560
purposedrivenlife4you at gmail dot com
I follow you already! =)
One of my favorite books of 2009 was Firefly Lane! Loved it!
I started Blue Like Jazz. Guess I need to pick that up again after reading your post.
I read… a lot. It’s my time to curl up in a corner and forget that I have 2 teen age sons and a hubby which equals 3 boys to me in the tug-of-rope-of-life. So I read historical romances so that I can completely escape – as in, to the year 1820. Jude Deveraux is my favorite author, no particular title comes to mind at the moment. (But everyone here is making me feel like a literary SLUG, so I might go try and find a *normal* book to read in the near future!) 😉
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..Everyone Decorates for Valentines…Right? =-.
I am also one of your followers!
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..Everyone Decorates for Valentines…Right? =-.
I read “Outlander” in December and loved it! The premise is a little odd (woman from 1940s somehow goes back in time to 18th Century Scotland), but it is very interesting. The story starts off VERY slow, but I kept reading b/c a friend promised it would get better. It really did! Lots of suspense, a good romance, and the author did a lot of historical research. 🙂 I am sooooo not a “Sci-Fi” girl, and I thought the fact that the main character travels back in time would turn me off, but the story more than makes up for it. 🙂
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Friday Favorites =-.
I just signed up to Follow you on Twitter. (I’m SerenityNowGirl) 🙂
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Friday Favorites =-.
I also Retweeted your Giveaway link…wasn’t sure how to leave a comment. I am still learning Twitter. 🙂
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Friday Favorites =-.
I can’t believe last year is already a blur. I know I read David Copperfield and Agatha Christie’s Third Girl, oh and Quentins by Maeve Binchy–that one I’d very much recommend, hope to read more of her in ’10. Right now I’m reading a bio of Eleanor Roosevelt. Would absolutely LOVE to win the gift card–thanks!
.-= Eos Mom´s last blog ..TILT–Glee Soundtracks =-.
A woman after my own heart, reading is at the top of my passion list. You are not alone, I read cookbooks cover to cover as well. I have a massive collection and randomly pull one out each week to read. My favorites are Gooseberry Patch for all the creative tips mingled among the recipes. I read an average of two to three books per week so chosing a favorite is impossible. Off to check out your suggestions!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Happy New Year =-.
Love your sight. A favorite book of mine was “Garlic and Sapphires” by Ruth Reichl.
Sadly, I did not read any full books last year. Started…lots. Checked out from the library…lots. Paid late fees to the library…too many. Finished books…none. I’m hoping to change that in 2010.
Before we had the children I was never ever without reading at least one book at a time. These times I`m happy when I`m able to read a while before sleeping….As I started sewing ,there are a lot of crafting/sewing books I`m having around now and like always, cook books ( I read them like you do it from cover to cover, loove it) The last novel I was reading is from a Swiss writer ” Martin Suter”
.-= Sandra´s last blog ..Uuups! =-.
My favorite book of 2009 was The Shack. To me, it brings to the forefront that we each need to have a PERSONAL relationship with God and with His Son. We need to feel like we are a family. To realize we are God’s children.
I read The Shadow of the Wind. It was great, and I definitely recommend it!
I follow you on twitter! (as alitsao)
I love your blog. My favorite book of 2009 was Hunger Games by Collins. Wow what a great story.
I read Alex Cross’ Trial by James Patterson, a heart-wrenching reminder of the difficulties Black Americans faced trying to exercise their civil rights at the turn of the last century in the deep South.
AND I AM a follower!
Grins!
Pamm
I read Alex Cross’ Trial by James Patterson, a heart-wrenching reminder of the difficulties Black Americans faced trying to exercise their civil rights at the turn of the last century in the deep South.
AND I AM a follower!
Grins!
Pamm
“Eat Love Pray” I am a little behind the times on reading I know but I did enjoy it….. karen….
Glass Castle, Half-Broke Horses, Water for Elephants….. The first two are memoirs……I could not put them down!
Lynda
Hi – I just found your wonderful blog! Several years ago, I wanted to start reading more, so I starated a book club! There are now 12 avid readers in the group, and we choose many diverse genres. We just completed “Grapes of Wrath” and to my surprise I truly enjoyed the story and Steinbeck’s writing style. That’s one book I wouldn’t have chosen on my own!
I love your altered mailbox — in fact, I altered a tin mailbox last week. Click here to view the post: http://altered-artworks.blogspot.com
Regards!
Doreen
.-= Doreen Hill´s last blog ..I shutter to think of the possibilities! =-.