Tuesday Teaser: Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman

"One you've read a book, you and it belong to each other for life. Did you not know that?"

Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman

(Chapter 6, pg 70)

Quoting: Walt Disney

"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island."

~ Walt Disney

2011: A Reading Year in Review

So here we are at the end of the year and as I reflect back I am amazed at all that has occurred. I wonder how I even found time to read. Between my pregnancy and our traveling I had little attention span and even less time. I guess that accounts for all the "light" reading I did (lots and lots of "cozy-mystery" stories). In fact, I find it interesting to note that my reading total for 2011 is only slightly higher at the end of the year than it was at the end of 2007. I find this fitting considering the fact that in both 2007 and 2011 I spent most of the year either being pregnant or caring for an infant -- those two things alone make it difficult to find quiet time to read. Still, I didn't give up my passion for books entirely, but read as time allowed. And so, as has become tradition (see my postings in 2008, 2009, and 2010.) I want to post a recap of the year by listing some statistics about the books I have read and highlight what I believe were the best and worst reads of the year. (** Note: The books that I have reviewed are hyperlinked to my review and you can view them by clicking on the title and author. ** )

TOTAL BOOKS READ IN 2011: 53 (listed here)


LONGEST READ IN 2011: Known & Unknown by Donald Rumsfeld at 832 pages.

SHORTEST READ IN 2011: Antigone by Sophocles at 116 pages.

BEST BOOK DISCOVERY in 2011: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand. Recommended by a friend I began reading this book knowing nothing about its subject. In the end I came away with the feeling that Unbroken was one of the most powerful books I had ever read. Definitely worthwhile reading!

WORST BOOK DISCOVERY in 2011: The Blue Rose: An English Garden Mystery by Anthony Eglin. This wasn't an awful book, but it certainly wasn't great. It had a lot of potential, but in the end I found it full of cliches and very predictable. It was so-so and I didn't bother to look up any other books in the series.

FAVORITE CLASSIC READ IN 2011: Considering I only read a couple "classics" I don't have a long list to choose from. Still, I think I'd have to say my favorite this year was: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. It has been on my "To read" list for several years and I was excited to finally read it. It was definitely a worthwhile read.

BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN 2011: Keeping up both reading and blogging in spite of how hectic my life was between traveling to family weddings and funerals, working a part-time job, taking care of my active 4 year old, and being pregnant... Oh and hosting the third annual Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge during my 8th month of pregnancy.

BIGGEST FAILURE TO COMPLETE IN 2011: There were several books I picked up, began reading and then gave up. I won't list them here, but I will admit that what I consider more of a "failure" was my writing. I really slacked off in reviewing the books I read. In fact, I am ending 2011 with an even worse record of reviews than I did in 2010. As things stand right now I have 16 books un-reviewed compared to the 7 I left un-reviewed at the end of 2010. Still in debate as to whether it's too late for me to post something.. I did catch up on my 2010 reviews in early 2011, so maybe I'll catch up on 2011 in 2012. We shall see.

TOP 5 BOOKS IN 2011 THAT SURPRISED ME (in order as read):
1. The Belfry by May Sinclair
2. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
3. Chaff in the Wind by Edna Walker Chandler
4. Antigone by Sophocles
5. The Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cosse


GREATEST READING ACCOMPLISHMENT IN 2011: I did not read any mega books in 2011. As I look back over the year and all that occurred I think my biggest accomplishment was that I kept reading. There were so many times when I didn't have time or energy or mental ability to sit and focus, but I kept going. I read as time allowed, I read what interested me, and I read when I felt like it. In the end I have reached the end of the year and feel somewhat revived and ready to tackle a new year. It'll be interesting to see what I accomplish in 2012.

TOP 5 BOOKS I WISH I HAD READ AND PLAN TO READ IN 2012:
1. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith
2. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
4. True Grit by Charles Portis
5. Snow White by Donald Barthelme


TOP FIVE FAVORITE READS IN 2011:
1. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
2. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
3. The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne
4. Gaudy Night: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery with Harriet Vane by Dorothy L. Sayers  
5. They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie


--------------------


And so, as was the case in 2011 I will probably just strive to achieve a healthy balance in my life. I want to keep reading and I'd like to keep this blog running, but not to the extent of my family or work suffering. I guess I'll just take things as they come. To echo what I said last year: In the new year I may only read a half dozen books or I may find time to read 100. I may only review my favorites or I may review them all. Whatever happens I am sure the journey will be fun. So here's to 2012! I hope you'll stick around and see where it takes us.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall

304 pages
Published 2011
by Knopf Books for Young Readers 


The Penderwicks at Point Mouette is the third in a coming-of-age series about the Penderwick family (a widower dad and his five daughters) by  Jeanne Birdsall.

I first discovered the series in 2008 when I read (and thoroughly enjoyed) The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy. The next year I read the sequel, The Penderwicks of Gardam Street, which made me fall even more in love with the series. And so when I learned that the third book would be published in May 2011 I was quick to put in a request for a copy at my local library.

The Plot: 
The Penderwick family is going to be split up for summer vacation for the first time ever! Rosalind is off to the beach with friends, which leaves Skye in charge as OAP (Oldest Available Penderwick),  which terrifies Skye. Thankfully the girls' friend Jeffrey is joining them so it looks to be a fun summer after all... And it definitely is a fun summer filled with all sorts of adventures and a few discoveries that will change the lives of all involved. There are moments of laughter and of tears, but most of all it's the type of summer no one will soon forget (including the reader)! To learn more check out the full summary on Jeanne Birdsall's website.

My Thoughts:
The third installment in the Penderwick series does not disappoint. It is just as delightful, charming and fun as the two preceding books and at the same time it is a completely fresh story with new adventures for each member of the family.

As is the case with Mrs. Birdsall's previous two Penderwick books the writing remains simple, but clear and creative all the while keeping the story believable and enjoyable not just for her young readers, but for adults too.

If you are looking for an entertaining read that also gives you a feeling of nostalgia (for books of yesteryear) and yet still relevant to today's kids then look no further than The Penderwicks At Point Mouette... Although I will suggest you start at the beginning of the series if you've not yet read them.

According to her website, Mrs. Birdsall plans to write two more books for the Penderwick series. I look forward to the next edition and as she is one of my favorite modern authors I also plan to keep my eye out for any of her other future works.

--------------------------
Related Links:
Jeanne Birdsall's Website 

The Penderwicks (reviewed)
The Penderwicks of Gardham Street (reviewed)

Holiday Reads

Looking for a cozy or festive book to read this holiday season? Might I offer up a few recomendations?

In 2008 and 2010 I posted several titles that I have read and enjoyed and wanted to recommend for other reader's enjoyment. You can find the the 2008 list here at: Christmas Stories and the 2010 list here at: Recommended Reading for the Holidays. Titles include: A Christmas Carol, The Story of the Other Wiseman, The Gift of the Magi, and Hercule Poirot's Christmas to name just a few.

This year I'd like to add to this list:

The Lion in the Box by Marguerite de Angeli

Summary: Retells the events of a special Christmas for a poor family in New York City at the turn of the century.

One Christmas Night by M. Christina Butler
Summary: Christmas is near - but Little Hedgehog has forgotten to get presents for his friends, and his house isn't sparkly and Christmassy at all! Hedgehog sets off into the forest to find gifts, but the night is cold and the woods are growing dark ...

Little Bunny Finds Christmas by Pirkko Vainio
Summary: What is Christmas? Is it sweet as a mother's love? A shining star? Is it peace on earth? Little Bunny sets out with friends to discover what Christmas is really about. Pirkko Vainios luminous watercolors lusciously weave the tale of the animals who made the journey to see the baby Jesus in the manger.
 

What about you? What's on your holiday reading list? Any books you have found particularly meaningful this time of year?

Merry Christmas!

A quick little update

So remember all those plans I made last month for this holiday season? I am happy to report that while my blog has been silent I have been busy at home. The biggest news of course was that we welcomed our newest member to the family, a little girl born Saturday, November 19.

Jenna Main Photography

In addition to this (and with many thanks to my husband who was able to work from home for two weeks so we all could adjust) my older daughter and I have made festive the season by...

 ~ Decorating, as a family, our Christmas tree (and house), so everything looks quite festive.

~ Creating picture Christmas ornaments for her grandparents.

~ Spending time each day by reading one or two Christmas themed stories or picture books. (Favorites to be listed later.)

~ Creating our first family Advent wreath and celebrating the Advent season with this wreath, a devotional book, and an Advent calendar.

~ And most recently, baking several dozen gingerbread men (or as she calls them "Ginger Men"), which we decorated and have given out to friends and family as a special Christmas gift.

It's been a fun time in the midst of some trying moments. (Trying being that we came home with a newborn who became mysteriously fussy and would not sleep at all... only to learn she had colic issues and once addressed we find ourselves in week four with a totally different child.) Peace reigns in the house now and we are all very much looking forward to our first Christmas at home as a family of four.

As time allows I may be posting here and there, but for the most part I still consider myself on "leave" from this blog as I adjust to life with daughter number two.

Merry Christmas!

Pardon me while I take a little time off

The newest little girl bookworm has joined our family.

11/19/11

7lb, 9.5 oz.

18.5"