Shattered Dreams by Irene Spencer

I saw this at Costco, but didn't want to spend the money so I went to Orem Library and borrowed it. I honestly couldn't put it down. It actually confirmed every assumption I had about the life of a polygamist wife. The author does a really good job of getting accross her feelings of lonliness. At the end she expresses her current religious views just a little, which are askew, but still a great book!

Evening Class

I really enjoyed this book. It's about all the participants of an evening Italian-language class. Maeve Binchy is a great storyteller. I really cared about all the people and when I had to return the book to the library I considered keeping it and paying a late fee, but with the craziness of the holidays I took it back and then got it again when I had more time. I just couldn't leave off not knowing what happened to all the characters.

I read a book! Tori Amos- Piece by Piece

I have to admit, I am a Tori Amos fan. For most of you who don't know Tori, she is a singer, songwriter, and brilliant pianist. She started playing the piano when she was three. So this book talks about her life and her beliefs, some of which are quite distorted. Her father is a strict Catholic priest and her mother's side is Cherokee. So she has a lot of different beliefs mixed into one. She incorporates a lot of myth into her songs and most of her songs are not about her. She calls her songs her "girls" thus the name of her new album "American Doll Posse" is very fitting. On the cover of that album, she has dressed up in a couple different characters that she has formed from her songs. They represent the different topics to her songs. In the book, Tori also talks about her three miscarriages that she had before the birth of her daughter who is now around six. I can relate a lot with her and her music. I have been a big fan for years. I thought this book was excellent but I don't recommend it to anyone unless they are a Tori Amos fan.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I just read this book last week. I'm wondering if any of the rest of you have read it. It's good but has some sad things in it, too. I'm wondering of those of you who have read it, what you took away from the ending. Hope or doom?

Shopaholic Ties the Knot

When I started reading this one I was pleasantly surprised at its cleverness and cuteness but honestly, I can't finish it. The main character is way too deceiving of herself and others. She doesn't seem like a real person at all. It was funny the first couple of times, but then I just wanted to slap her. I would never be friends with someone like this, much less ever identify with this character.

August Rush

In a world of movies that make me think that all men are lustful pigs and that life is full of violence and coldness (Beowulf), I'm glad that there are movies that make me think that life will turn out okay and that love will conquer and that the power of music can bring about miracles (August Rush). Now, I understand that someone could make fun of the whole movie for its fairy tale properties, but as for me, it gave me a much needed lift and I loved it! Not to mention that everyone loves Keri Russell.

This is what happens when my hubby goes out of town

Hey gals! I've finished 4 books in the last week. One I had already half-read and the others I started and finished. No, I don't have time to read, believe me-- I don't go around looking for things to do or books to read. (Would it be such a crime to be living a life like that???....sounds nice) But while Kyle is out of town, I have my evenings to myself and choose to devour books instead of laundry, painting the bathroom, doing geneology, or baking my bread. (I'll let you decide which of those things I really do. :-) As it turns out, I sacrifice my sleep for reading-- it's my official escape from the world. I really do need to stop.

Book #1: Finding Noel-- already posted about it

Book #2 The Red Tent. Maybe you find it abominable that I read this-- I didn't know what it was about, but heard mention it was an interesting read. I just love historical fiction. If anything, it got me excited about reading the Bible. In a nut shell, it's the authors fictional take of the story of Dinah and her mothers and aunties (leah, rachel, zilpha, Bilhah). Dinah was Jacob's only daughter and it is really a fascinating read.

Book #3: Specials (third book in the Uglies series)-- good read. Still liked the first one the best. It was the most realistic for me. I was disappointed there wasn't more romance, but that's me.

Book 4: Christmas Box-- another Evans book. Quick read. I could have read it the last time I was waiting at the doctor's office. Touching. Not as good as Finding Noel. Sent me the message that I should worry less about housework, the stresses of my church calling, and just enjoy my little ones while I can.

On deck:

The Sisterhood: Inside the Lives of Mormon Women by Dorothy Allred Solomon-- you can imagine my surprise to see this book in a special spot on the shelf at my library showcased, "New Book This Week!" -- Never expected a book like this to come to my little library. In any case, I glanced through it just to make sure I wasn't being taken by an Anti author, and checked it out. I'll let you know.

The Letter and The Locket by Richard Paul Evans --hopefully I'll like them as much as Finding Noel.