The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

I'd heard some positive buzz about this book and thought I'd give it a try. I really enjoyed it. I liked Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, but took some issues with some of her big points and how she went about finding happiness. I think Gilbert is by far a stronger writer, but I agreed much more with Rubin's ideas and her journey to become a happier person.Rubin is married with two small daughters and has a successful career as a writer but she recognizes that she can do and be better. She breaks her project up into different resolutions that she focuses on each month over the course of a year. I liked her honesty and her light tone. It was an enjoyable read for me. 

I liked this, "I didn't want to reject my life. I wanted to change my life without changing my life, by finding more happiness in my own kitchen. I knew I wouldn't discover happiness in a faraway place or in unusual circumstances; it was right here, right now."

Another, "The days are long, but the years are short." This echoes my life right now in so many ways.

I think it is a great read anytime, but especially now with a new year coming up.

Daughters in My Kingdom

I wish we could figure out a way to post pictures of the books to go along with our posts. Emma, do you know how to do that?

Daughters in My Kingdom was recently put out by the church and given to people at church (for free). It is a history of the Relief Society and also discusses the roles of women in the church, home, world, etc. I didn't really look at my copy until I was called to serve in Relief Society about 6 months ago and then I made it a part of my morning scripture study time--it's actually a pretty short book, but I only read small bits over the course of the 6 months--you could probably sit down and read it cover to cover in a few hours.

Anyway, I really liked it. I learned a lot of things I hadn't known before. I don't know if you guys heard about the pants thing down there in Utah but women and our role in the church has been/is/will be a big issue for a lot of people in and out of the church. As a practicing Mormon, I think it is important to learn about Relief Society and more importantly, my divine gifts/role as a woman and a daughter of a Heavenly Father. As I studied this book, I also read a really interesting article about women and the church. I would definitely recommend it and would love to know your thoughts on that as well.

Here's the link:
 http://www.fairlds.org/fair-conferences/2012-fair-conference/2012-to-do-the-business-of-the-church-a-cooperative-paradigm

The Man You'll Marry

Yeah, yeah I got this book. It is by Debbie Macomber and after listening to One Simple Act I was really interested to see what her writing was like.
It back reads,
The wedding dress was made many years ago, and it came with a promise: The first man you meet . . . is the man you'll marry. Shelly Hansen was horrified when her great-aunt's wedding dress arrived - because, according to family legend, she was destined to marry the next man she met. So when she tripped on an escalator and fell into Mark Brady's arms, she told him - and herself - that she wasn't interested in marriage. But then she started seeing him everywhere . . .. Coincidence?
After her own wedding, Shelly sends her best friend, Jill Morrison, the dress - which is delivered to Jill's hotel in Hawaii, But at least the man she sat beside on the plane - gorgeous grouch Jordan Wilcox - can't be the man in question, can he? She met him before she got the dress!

I picked this one because I had listened to a This American Life episode where the great grandma had made baby pants for a boy and a dress for a girl. The women in the family then started sending either the pants of the dress to each other when the were pregnant and the clothes were always the predictor of the sex of the baby. It was a fun story. This lasted for almost 20 births. So hey, maybe a wedding dress could do it too.

Of course it was formulaic but she did a nice job. It was clean too. I am sure this is a big draw. Needless to say the woman knows what she is doing. 100 million copies of her books in print.

7 hours long on CD so likely not to bad of a read, maybe 300 pages. Nice fluff to wrap presents by.

One simple Act Discovering the Power of Generosity

This is by Debbie Macomber. I had never heard of her when I got this book. I really liked it. She has great stories and you feel like you could do something to help this world (people). She is a #1 New York Times best-selling author. The back reads,

Debbie Macomber penned this rousing work extolling the virtues of gving. Here she asks, "What if you, personally, could make the worked a better place . . . by tomorrow?"
Can one person truly make a difference? The answer, says Macomber, is yes. In this audiobook you will hear riveting true stories about individuals sharing time, materials, support, and more to brighten the lives of others. And by doing so, these people reap untold rewards for their simple acts of kindness.
Join Macomber as she illustrates how often single acts of intentional generosity have positive reverberations across space and time.

Really a good book. She is Christian and does talk about Christ but it is not like an LDS Christian book. I thought she must be a motivational speaker. It was a really powerful book. The next time I was at the library I say one of her books so I got it (reviewed elsewhere). One of her stories in One Simple Act, was that she wanted to be a writer. At an event she had the opportunity to have a New York Times editor read a fiction story she had written. She was so excited and then the editor ripped it to shreds in front of the gathering. Later she went on to sell the story and it became her first big break.

The CD was 5.5 hours so I don't think the book would be a long read. She really had one great story after another and not a lot of guilt to go with them, just some gentle nudging.

Twenties Girl

Big fan of Sophie Kinsella as I think we all are. This was a fun book. "Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination, but suddenly that imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professional twenty-something young women don't get visited by ghosts. Or do they?" The ghost is her great aunt Sadie. I really like the two of them and their back and forth talking. British book but she puts in some f words instead of the more easy to handle bugger like in Bridget Jones. So that was too bad as I was listening to it and I was surprised to hear it. (maybe the word was used 10 times) Really liked the aunt but wanted to slap Lara a few times. Cute romance without the R rating.

Jellicoe Road

Definitely a fast read that kept my attention, but not sure I really loved it. Some books are like this for me, I want to know what happens and so I keep reading, but I'm not thinking, "Wow. Best book ever." You know?

I think this one had a little too much teenage angst for me. Emma might like it--the main character was a bit like the girl from Croak.

La's Orchestra Saves the World

This was by the same author as The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. It sounded like a great story: English countryside during WWII. A woman starts up a little orchestra filled with soldiers from the nearby base and local citizens to boost morale. A little romance thrown in with a Polish refugee . . . Yep, not so much. It went on and on and the orchestra was minor to the rest. Nothing happened with the refugee, lots of spouses ran off (like 3 times) and it just felt like a huge let down from what I had hoped and imagined it could be. I don't recommend this one.

The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency

We read this one for book club and I really enjoyed it. It's the first of a many book series and I'd like to read a few more, but it doesn't leave you hanging at the end or anything like that, and I'm thinking you could probably even read them out of order and it wouldn't be a huge problem. The book takes place in Botswana, Africa and is the story of a woman who opens up her own private detective agency. There are several different cases in the book that work almost like short stories. It was at times funny, scary, mysterious, and touching. I liked the gentle tone the author uses. I'd definitely recommend this book--I'm planning to read some more in the series.

Oh, and Mom says it is also a show on HBO or something? I'd like to look it up and watch it.

Vampire Book

Emma and I listened to the vampire book. I've taken the CD back and I can't remember the name. It got pretty scandalous (say it with the Katie accent) as it went on. We did have fun wondering which book came first this or Bella and the Twilight series. Many similarities. Turns out this book is the basis for the HBO series True Blood (correct me if I got that wrong Emma). That explained the scandalous parts and why it is on HBO. Oh this came first. Emma says Twilight is the PG version of this series, I'd say the G version.
Keep those necks covered.

Unbroken

Just finished this. I listened to it. It is an amazing story but it is so brutal. I think it made me irritable and upset during the time I was listening to it. It was just so hard to hear of all the things that went on during WWII in the Japan prisoner of war camps. Great redemption at the end. I guess you needed all the brutality told so you could really see the depth of forgiveness.
I don't know that I can recommend it. I think it is better to go to you tube and watch Louis Zamerini talk or google him and read an article. He did lead an amazing life and Laura Hillenbrand lays it out very well but too much detail for me.

Dust Land Series

I haven't been reading much lately. I'm finding that reading has become a feast or famine thing for me as of late. I did just finish listening to an audio book that was the second in a series (I know, I know, another series--I'm rolling my eyes, too). It's another 3 book YA distopian series--my weakness. I LOVED the first book. It's called Blood Red Road and I would recommend it for sure. The writing style is great and unique. I read that one back in February and then waited around for this next one to come out and I was disappointed. I guess I'd give it a 3/5 star rating but 5/5 for the first one. The author is Moira Young.  I think I'd recommend this series more to Emma than Mom. Here are the dust jackets:

Blood Red Road (book one)
Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.
Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.
Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.


Rebel Heart (lame title that should have tipped me off)
It seemed so simple: Defeat the Tonton, rescue her kidnapped brother, Lugh, and then order would be restored to Saba’s world. Simplicity, however, has proved to be elusive. Now, Saba and her family travel west, headed for a better life and a longed-for reunion with Jack. But the fight for Lugh’s freedom has unleashed a new power in the dust lands, and a formidable new enemy is on the rise.

What is the truth about Jack? And how far will Saba go to get what she wants? In this much-anticipated follow-up to the riveting Blood Red Road, a fierce heroine finds herself at the crossroads of danger and destiny, betrayal and passion.

Everything we read?

Ladies,
Do we want to post a review of everything we read or just the books we recommend? Just seeking some clarification here. Muchas gracias.

Love,
Katie

Review on Croak by its Second Reader

Croak - Gina Damico

Fun read in the Halloween spirit.
Quick read at over 250 pages but not crowded with words on those 250 pages.

I just finished reading this book, which was first reviewed by Emma. It is definitely a book aimed at the teen scene. Very clever idea about the grim reaper(s). Not at all like the one in The Book Thief. He would be too old and unhip for this crowd. This is the author's first book and she will likely get better at describing things some of which were just too regular such as, "She felt like she had been hit in the stomach" does anyone write that anymore. Do editors let writers write like that any more? A number or references to dinosaurs which I found to be odd. She is not as polished a writer as the Twilight or Hunger Games teen writers, but a good effort. The characters were lovable in a Bella and Edward type way. Meaning, there were times you just wanted to smack the heroine.

This is the first in a series  and I'll admit I wonder what is going to happen next. I'll keep reading safe in the knowledge that one is already written and the last is on the way.

Now a soap box moment. Why does everything have to be a series. This book ends one mystery and in the last few pages introduces a whole new one. There is no sense of completion. "Wow that book was great. I hope the author will write another one. I really liked these characters." I can read a thick book so wait until your story is complete and then submit the manuscript.  The answer is of course money likely on the part of the publisher as well as the writer. If the book hadn't sold I don't think we'd be looking forward to book two.

Ally Condie's series

Full disclosure: This is going to be a 3 book series and only the first 2 are out right now. The third one comes out in November.

Matched
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Crossed
In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky — taken by the Society to his certain death — only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander — who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart — change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

I listened to the first book "Matched" on my recent trip down to see Emma's cute new baby. The book lasted me down and back so around 12 hours or so. I enjoyed the story. I probably wouldn't say the writing is amazing or stellar or anything like that, but it is a good story and very entertaining. It actually made the drive pleasant. The author, Ally Condie,  is a Utah girl, so if you read the series, you get the added benefit of feeling like you are supporting local authors/artists :)

I think if you liked the Hunger Games series than you'd probably like this series, too. I especially think Emma might like this one.

The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman

I listened to this book at home. I had downloaded it but the first disc was everywhere. It is only 2 hours and 45 minutes long. I think the original book is a young adult book. It was a Newbery Medal Winner.
The cover says:

Lyrical yet unsentimental, the Midwife's Apprentice won the coveted 1996 Newbery Medal. Filled with striking characters, it paints unforgettable pictures of village life in the Middle Ages, the midwife's craft, and a very remarkable girl's growing independence and pride.
Brat has no name, no home, and no shelter against the 14th-century winter except the foul warmth of a dung heap. So when Jane the Midwife wakes her with a kick and takes the half-starved creature to her cottage, a curious relationship begins.
Jane teaches Brat to gather herbs and make the poultices used to ease the pain of childbirth for the village women. The skinny young girl quickly learns to obey the sharp-tounged midwife, and secretly watches Jane practice her art whenever she can. But Jane is also teaching Brat unspoken lessons that will take longer-maybe a lifetime-to master.

I really enjoyed this book. It has some wonderful lines, the characters are well written, and the story is fascinating. After having your babies you might be interested in how it was done all those years ago. I imagine this could be a very quick read. It would be well worth your time. 

This author has written another book set in these times. The title is something like Catherine Called Birdie. It is about a young girl coming up to the age of marriage. I read it many years ago and like to too. 

Churchill by Paul Johnson

On my second drive to Idaho I listened to Churchill by Paul Johnson. It was 4.75 hours. The CD cover says -

Critically acclaimed historian Paul Johnson explores the complex and fascinating character of Winston Churchill - the soldier, orator, and statesman who shined brightest during Britain's darkest hours. From his foray into the far-flung corners of the empire as cavalry officer and correspondent to his warnings of impending crisis as historian and Parliamentarian, Churchill faced the winds and tides of change with remarkable versatility and tenacity. One of his strategies strengthened moderate Muslims and successfully marginalized extremist Wahhabis of the House of Saud until Standard Oil's life-giving infusion revived jihadism. His Operation Archangel could have toppled the Russian Bolsheviks, preempted Mussolini and Hitler, and saved the lives of millions. And but for Churchill's vision and determination, there would have been no beefed-up British air power or the modern state of Israel. Illuminated with telling anecdotes and quotations, this compelling account of Churchill's tragedies and triumph the courage, resilience, and humor of this giant of the 20th century statesmanship.

Ok, first of all, those listed things were each about a paragraph in length. It also makes the book sound dry but it wasn't. I really enjoyed it. His life was amazing. He had a terrible childhood with rich parents who really had nothing to do with him as was the style of the day. His father never praised him. He loved (not romantically) the woman who raised him and his parents fired her when he went off to school. He found her and sent money when he could to help her. He was an amazing war correspondent. He was elected to government and would change parties when he needed to so he could get elected. He did well, he failed horribly, he was hit by a car in America and wanted to give up. He was faithful to his wife and she to him even though both of their mothers had numerous affairs. He had a family and loved them very much. He stayed in bed until noon making phone calls and dictating letters. He drank gin and "ate cigars and smoked matches" meaning he really didn't smoke all that much but liked the production that went into lighting a cigar. He stated he never owned a pair of pajamas in his life. He came back to power at the beginning of WWII although he had been on the outs for 10 years. Then when the war was over, Britons elected someone else. He wrote over two million words and painted over 500 oil paintings, and won a Nobel Prize for literature.

The part I enjoyed most was seeing the ups and downs of his life (lived over eighty years) and how he kept going even when life was bleak. He really "never gave up" to paraphrase. He was also very forgiving which was amazing to me in a politician. I also liked his philosophy of conserving energy. Never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down. Worked for him so I'm adopting it as my own.

The book seemed to be fairly even handed although there are people who hated him and his politics. He was amazing so it is hard to not have it be a positive biography of the man. Well work reading if you have any interest in his life or history.

Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith

On my drive to Idaho, the first trip, I listened to Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith. He is the author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. I haven't read the books but watch a series of them on Netflix and loved them. This recording was 11.75 hours so it is a good size book. It was enjoyable to listen to but I think the reading might be a slow go. It really was like being a voyeur in these peoples lives.

The CD cover says -
In a crumbling mansion described by architectural guides as "a building of no interest whatsoever," delightfully eccentric dwellers go about their lives. Marcia the caterer has eyes for wine merchant William, who keeps trying to evict his 24-year-old son. then there's loathsome Parliament member Oedipus Snark, the mother begrudgingly writing his biography, and the girlfriend who longs to be his wife. And that's to say nothing of Freddie de la Lay, a seatbelt wearing terrier who happens to be a devoted vegetarian.

This takes place over about five days. Very unsatisfying ending. Sure to be a sequel book. I loved Freddie de la Lay, written from Freddie's perspective. William's lack of backbone with his son got a bit old as did the resolution of their relationship at the end. Once again, boo to the ending.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Here's the basic plot according to Goodreads: 
Nine-year-old Oskar Schell has embarked on an urgent, secret mission that will take him through the five boroughs of New York. His goal is to find the lock that matches a mysterious key that belonged to his father, who died in the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11. This seemingly impossible task will bring Oskar into contact with survivors of all sorts on an exhilarating, affecting, often hilarious, and ultimately healing journey.

I already thought the author was amazing after I read his last book "Everything is Illuminated." I saw the movie that was based off of this new book first and just knew that there was probably so much more to the story and the characters and I was absolutely right. It's a beautiful book about grief and loss and what individuals do to survive (or not survive, really) such loss. The author intersperses pictures and other artistic gestures throughout the book which I thought was really creative. There is a lot of truth in this book and it seems to also be mixed with some magical realism (I thought this about his other book as well). I'm thinking specifically of the grandpa and grandma storyline here.

A powerful read that I would highly recommend.
I give it 5 stars.

If you like this book, you'd probably also like his other one Everything is Illuminated and his wife's The History of Love by Nicole Krauss.  

Croak and Scorch by Gina Damico

This is book 1 and 2 in what is to be a 3 book series. I discovered the first book at my library. The shiny silver cover caught my eye and it had a picture of a teenage girl holding a scythe (?) so i picked it up read the back and was like eh why not. Best choice ever. The book is about a girl named Lex who's parents ship her off to go live with her uncle because she is a trouble maker. He lives in a town called Croak (that is also the name of the first book) where she is trained to become a grim reaper. Only Grim reapers live in croak. Sounds dark right? Well it kind of is but the way that the author wrote the characters gives the book a sense of humor that i really enjoyed. I honestly had moments when i would laugh out loud. They have reapers and they have cullers who collect the souls after the reaper has touched the person that has died. They have the afterlife which i love how the author portrayed it. Very similar to how i imagine the afterlife will be. Anywho Lex catches on quite fast at being a reaper and she has internal struggles to not take matters into her own hands and kill murders and people she feels deserves it. She blends in well with the people of croak and makes some fantastic friends and her partner driggs is a total spaz...but you learn to really enjoy him. 

Then people start dying..people who aren't supposed to die, people that lex has her internal battles about are dying...and they can't seem to track how or who is doing this or why. 

The ending is a jaw dropper. When i first read it i didn't know it was part of a series until the end..major cliff hanger which leads us to the next book.

Scorch 

Book 2

Loved it. I read this book in about a day and a half. (i have no self control when i am reading a book i REALLY like) It picked up right where the first one left off which i can't really tell you about but the second book is equally well written, but much more dark things are happening in this one and yet the author still puts her humor into it so eve though it's subject matter is dark you don't get all sad and crazy in your head. Spoiler alert...i love an author who isn't afraid to off some characters...big or small ;)

The third book is due out in fall of 2013 and i cannot wait...though i must!

I give Croak 3 1/2 stars out of 5 and Scorch 4 stars out of 5. 

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

I loved this book. Ask my husband and he'll tell you. I seriously disappeared for a few days and hijacked his nook to read it (his own fault since he was the one that had me read it). I didn't want to read it for a really long time but I finally caved. It's a fantasy book which isn't my usual genre of book.  It's book 1 in a 3 book series. It's about a girl named Vin who gets recruited by a man named Kelsier and his gang to try to overtake the lord Ruler. There are people called mistings who have the ability to burn different allomantic metals that give them different types of powers. A person who can burn all of these metals are called mistborn. Mistborn are like Ninjas on steroids. They use metals to push and pull themselves through the air like they can fly plus have super human strength speed agility etc etc. Anyways, there is this thing called the steel ministry which the Lord Ruler created and there are steel inquisitors, kind of like police, who have big metal spikes through their eyeballs...basically you don't want to mess with them or you will most likely die a really terrible death. This world isn't a very sympathetic one. You have the nobility (early lord ruler supporters descendants) and you have the skaa (descendants of people who did not support the lord ruler that are peasants).

I know it all sounds crazy and it is crazy but honestly I really couldn't put this book down. I don't want to go into more than what I already have because I don't want to give away anything or make anything more confusing (it took me a while to fully understand everything). I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something that is totally out of this world. There isn't anything like Mistborn and there are aspects of this book that i wish could be reality. It would be AWESOME!

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.