Before we get down to the task at hand, or perhaps maybe the book at hand, I must brag just the tiniest bit. I picked the winner in both of the football games yesterday. We didn’t start out this way but ended up with a friendly rivalry going. Ralph picking Atlanta and New England, Me picking San Francisco and Baltimore. I won’t say anymore. Now I just have to figure out who I’m rooting for at the “Big Game.” ;-)
So, To Books! Mondays are the day for It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? This is hosted weekly by Sheila at Book Journey. It’s great fun and be sure to visit the other linkers when you’re finished here to see what they have to say. Every week I find a book I’ve never heard of and must read now!
Last week I wrote about The Fault In Our Stars by John Green and the fact that I was about to read it.
I mentioned how sometimes I’m reluctant to read books just because everyone else is and how many times I’m disappointed. That did not happen this time. This was a wonderful book. When I thought I would be crying and I wanted to cry, I found myself laughing instead. The two main characters were struggling and facing mortality as teenagers, yet they could smile and enjoy themselves and even fall in love. Now don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a Broadway musical and they don’t [SPOILER ALERT!!] live happily ever after. It’s not a comedy, it’s not all humor, but what the author does is make you love these characters. I read books sometimes and when I’m finished I have a sort of hollow feeling because I’ve spent time with these people and yet have never come to care about them. This doesn’t happen with The Fault In Our Stars.
If you have not read it, please do. It is not just a Young Adult novel. It is a Human novel. I loved it.
I had seen The Moonflower Vine by Jetta Carleton listed in several catalogs and on several lists of books that must be read.
I happened to find it at Goodwill for…say it with me…49 cents, a few weeks ago. I was excited. It is beautifully written and I feel it’s a book I may have to read a second time to feel its full impact. Interesting, flawed characters live a bit of a chaotic life, it’s not always easy and they try to stick together under some tough circumstances both logistical and emotional. Although I like to know what’s happening in a book as the story progresses, this doubles back to tie up the loose ends and it works for me in this book. I can’t believe this is the only book Carleton ever published. I was sorry to hear that. Very interesting and I suggest that you read it if you can.
I’m currently reading Lisa Scottoline’s Killer Smile.
I like her novels. She’s flippant and there are some things about her style that annoy me…No! “Yes!” Stop doing that…but I digress. Her plots are interesting and have good twists. Exactly why I read a mystery/thriller.
Lastly, I’d like to mention something on a personal note. Someone I know has written and published his first book and I’m very proud of him.
My best friend, Gail’s brother, R E Thorpe has written On Leave.
Ray knew nothing about writing a novel when he started, he just knew that he had a story he wanted to tell. He joined several writers’ groups, he wrote drafts, listened to critiques and learned every step of the way. I’m very excited for him.
At the moment, it’s only available through Amazon but I’m sure that as it’s popularity spreads it will be available through other books stores and web sites as well. I’ve included the Amazon link above. My copy is on order and I look forward to receiving it. In a few weeks, you’ll see it in one of my It’s Monday! posts. Read the blurb on Amazon and see if it’s your kind of book, then Order! I’ll look forward to hearing what you think.
That’s it for me today, when you’re finished here be sure to stop over at Book Journey to see what everyone else is reading!
Happy Monday! Happy Reading!
Congrats on winning the football picks. I have two favorite football teams and now they will be in the Super Bowl together. I’m beyond excited. I have to go with my home team though. Go Ravens!!!
It was so funny, Ralph was not happy, but really only joking about my picks. Now I can’t decide who to pick on Feb.3. Since they’re both teams I like, maybe I’ll just cheer every touchdown for both teams. It would be so much more celebratory that way. Have a great day, Dawn!
congrats to gail’s brother! that is so cool to publish a book.
“a human novel” – love that! yes, why should we categorize by age??!
way to go on calling the football games!! go 49ers!!!
i am still on “state of wonder”….next monday will likely be the same report!
You’re too funny, Cathy! I’ve gone through stages when I didn’t read much and then things shifted and I’ve been reading more. Bet that will happen to you, too. Yes, I’m so excited for Ray. He’s a hard worker and he always had a vision that this would be completed. He’s working on his next book now, I think.
I read and loved The Fault in Our Stars too! Congrats to your friend’s brother on publishing his first novel. I know what that feels like. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Hi Laura! I just thought it was a wonderful book. We’re all pretty excited for Ray and his accomplishment. Thanks for visiting back!!
I LOVE Scottoline’s books…even her memoirs! I don’t recall reading this one…so I’m going over to check it out! Thanks…I could blow my book buying budget again this year! lol
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Thanks, Laurel. You are always entertaining. This is an older one, I got it at Goodwill of course. I’m reading this series out of order,but what the heck!!
A vampire book with no sexy vampires. It’s called the Strain by Guillermo Del Toro
I love his movies, Marie but haven’t read any of his books. I’ll have to look for this one!
Way to go with the football picks! And The Fault In Our Stars is one I’ve been meaning to read for some time – so now I want to get to it even sooner. I hope you enjoy all your reads this week
Hi Tanya, thanks for stopping by. I think you will really enjoy The Fault in Our Stars. Worth the effort to move it up on your list. Have a great reading week and please visit again!
Definitely adding that first book to my list! Still getting through how to win friends and influence people right now…. didn’t have much time to read this past week unfortunately.
Stick with it, Katy. I’ve found I go through stages with reading. I didn’t read much for a while but when I got back to it, I just can’t stop now. Fault in our Stars is truly worth it!
The cover of The Moonflower Vine is gorgeous. I will have to see if i can find it. I have been wanting to read The Fault in our Stars. I read Looking for Alaska by Green and I loved it.
Hi Erin, I agree about the cover. That’s what made me want to read it when I first saw it in a catalog. Fault is truly worth it. Think I’l request Looking for Alaska from the library. Forgot about that one, thanks!
I am so glad you loved The Fault In Our Stars! I listened to it on audio and LOVED it so much
Sheila, I’ll bet Fault was great on Audio! I need to do more audio, haven’t really done it since I stopped commuting. I love it though.
Great stuff Fran. I have devoted this afternoon to reading, Right now, it’s catching up on blogs, but pretty soon it’ll be an actual book. Oh and I’m doing it in front of a fire, and dinner is already made for tonight. Success.
Meghan, you are my hero!! Would love to read in front of a fireplace! Love when I get something ready ahead for dinner, usually in the crock pot for me. Hope you enjoyed your day!
I’ll have a look, I always want good new books to read – although when they’re really good, I can’t put them down, end up staying up too late reading and finish them too soon!
Shame you didn’t have a few dollars on the football games…
Ha Ha!! You’re right, we should have had a friendly wager! I think Ralph is holding out for the Super Bowl!! I do that too…I love a book, can’t put it down, then I’m all pouty when I’m finished!
I also enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars, and didn’t find it as sad as I had expected. I loved that some of it took place in Amsterdam, not my town, but definitely in my country!
Hi Judith! It was such a worthwhile read. Now that I think about it, I’ve read quite a few books that eventually find themselves in Amsterdam. It looks like such a beautiful city!
So glad you enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars! It was such a great read
Hi Pamela, thanks for visiting and please come back! I just loved The Fault in Our Stars! Glad to hear so many others did as well.
I’m always so impressed that “real” people write books just by deciding they want to write a book (on my “someday” list and don’t ask what I’d write)!
I just finished a thriller called “Before I Go to Sleep” by SJ Watson…I think there’s a movie coming out very soon for it. It was definitely a page turner!
It’s especially impressive if you actually knew Ray. Not a reader, not an enthusiastic student. Worked hard all his life in a factory, but he had this idea and he went for it. I’m as impressed as I can be! Before I go To Sleep sounds interesting, I’ll have to look for it!
I just ordered The Moonflower Vine on Kindle for $2.99. Not quite as good a deal as $0.49, but I’m almost done with the book I’m currently reading and I don’t want to wait to try and find it at the Goodwill.
It looks like Carleton did publish another book, though. It’s called Clair de Lune…here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Clair-Lune-Novel-Jetta-Carleton/dp/0062089196/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358827866&sr=1-2&keywords=The+Moonflower+Vine
Wow, you’re right! I was going by the info in the book. Cool, I’ll have to look for that. Funny, Nook was offering it for $2.99 this week too! Thanks for the info and have a great day!
I saw your good review of The Fault in Our Stars on Goodreads, and I’ve wanted to read it since! And I wish I had your football-predicting skill, my fantasy football team (pretty much all Pats players) got wiped out last weekend. Oh, well. I’ll still watch the Superbowl (although mostly for the commercials and the excuse to make–and eat–tons of seven-layer dip).
Oh, drool…seven layer dip… I think You’ll like Fault in our Stars. Worth it. It was just by chance, I picked the winners. I really have NO idea!!