Bookworm

We live miles and miles away from family and my husband works til 10pm almost every night (only for the past month. It's usually more like 8pm) so when I get home from work I know I have a couple hours to kill solo. I go to the gym in the morning, I don't watch too much TV, and I can only stand having a warming computer on my lap for so long.  So I've been devouring books (checked out at our local library. I'm all about the public library--the books and people watching are fantastic), taking walks, and trying to work up the courage and motivation to re-visit my sewing machine...

I've decided I should keep tracks of the books I've read. Certain books spark feelings and ideas that are easily forgotten once you've put it back on the shelf.  I love to read and have had ample opportunity this year  to travel through some wonderful books (and some duds--but I will leave those off my list. To each their own...)

I read this late last summer and just couldn't put it down. Growing up my Mom talked about how it was a favorite that she could read over and over. As a kid I thought it looked like a super long book without anything too exciting going on. I was wrong, and I will re-read this book many times throughout my life. There is something special about knowing it was read and loved by my mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother. Lots of lessons to be learned from Scarlett.

I really feel like the Glass Castle should be read with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Amazing how stories so many years apart could ring so similar. Both were heartbreaking and empowering. 

Did you have to read The Great Gatsby in high school? I didn't and I was always curious about it. A quick read it's pretty fascinating. The character development and symbolism is pretty heavy for such a short book but  the nerd in me loves that stuff. 

The Devil in the White City caught my eye when walking through a bookstore. I happen to enjoy things dark and sinister and this looked promising. Though it wasn't as grisly as I had hoped, it has a great serial killer side story and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the history of Chicago's efforts at hosting the World's Fair.  

This has obviously been really popular lately and it was a great story. I'm fascinated by the South. I think I idealize it in my mind since I've never been. But stories of Civil Rights struggles and constant tension are always gripping.

Ahhhh Into the Wild. I remember when this movie came out and I purposely didn't see it because I thought I might want to read the book. And then I forgot about it (although being a huge Pearl Jam fan I did get the soundtrack). So this past week I checked it out and read it all on a Sunday afternoon.

This book has had my mind going non-stop. I've always had a bit of wanderlust in my veins and I enjoy 'going it alone'...at times. This book was a reality check to many fantasies of wilderness adventures. I was so amazed at the different accounts of young men from different generations who all followed the call  to leave society and explore. Some met their demise, some just keep going. Why is it that some just can't handle living in society?  What is it in our varied upbringings that so deeply affects some to the point of preferring isolation? I still have so much I'm thinking through due to this book. I love that.

Finally, these are my current reads. Timeline was recommended to me by my Dad. So far so good. Michael Crichton knows what he's doing when he writes a book.

And the Thirteenth Tale is waiting patiently on my night stand after being recommended to me by A. Swapp:) 

Love a good book! Any recommendations?

Thoughts while approaching...

This Mother's Day has been one of reflection for me as I count the days & weeks until I become a Mom myself. 

Every time I hear or read "Everyone says this, but I REALLY have the best Mom" it makes me happy. Happy that there are others who feel so grateful and protective of their own amazing Mothers. Happy that they too had great childhoods and someone they could turn to for comfort at any age.

I can't even begin to tackle all that I would love to share about my Mom, but I think what really sums it up is this: I really pray I will do a good enough job that my daughter will feel about me the same way I feel about my own mother. 

We are different in many ways--but those differences are fading fast as I approach motherhood. I would do well to follow her example exactly. She always says she was just blessed with good kids--me and my siblings know how bogus that statement is:) Our parents are the reason for all that we do right. I can't wait to see her as a Grandma.

This picture is perfect for so many reasons. Mainly because Janice and Matt are together in their element enjoying their favorite past time. Janice is actually the one who--in Matt's words-- "cultivated Matt's Red Sox obsession." Matt talks about how his Mom would call him at BYU when it was 1am or later her time because she was up watching the Sox and wanted to know if he was too. She's the first to offer to text  score updates to her boys if they cant watch a game, and she rivals their extreme New England fanhood. I so admire that.  

I still don't know if Janice and Bryson believe me, but I loved the summer we spent living with them. Really! I truly got to know them and the Cook family dynamic. They went out of their way to welcome me and make it a fun summer.

The relationship Janice has with her kids is such an open one. They have so many shared interests and she is constantly available to their needs. Janice is already a Grandma to two beautiful babes and I can't wait to add a third to the mix because I know how loving and fun she is. 

Lots of loving feelings for our Moms today. Can't wait to see them both this summer!