I noticed that my last notebook entry is two years old. It talks about a book I barely remember reading!

Yesterday, we decorated for Christmas. I am looking forward to the holiday and starting my Classics Challenge in the new year.

Just finished this one. I liked. Not so much that I will keep this hardcover copy I received from a kind pbser, but it was good. About half way through I was a little bored with the story because I wanted to know how it ended. Then it was over and it left me with many questions. The writing is enjoyable and I like the story, but I didn't really want to contemplate the philosophical issues presented. It wasn't heavy or anything, but I read through some of that stuff quickly. I can see why so many people enjoyed it.

Ok, I just realized that I recently read Vanishing Acts, but I failed to mention it here. I'll have to look up when I sent it out on pbs to know when I read it. I didn't like it as much as My Sister's Keeper. I will try The Pact next time though and see how that goes.

I've slowed down my reading a bit. I finished Talking God and liked it a lot. I will probably read more of Hillerman. I picked up a book that my mother in law sent me, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time. I'm not crazy about it so far. It is interesting in that it is written by a Jesus researcher, who is also a Christian. He tells you some of the facts about the time Jesus was on Earth and how it supports his faith. I find it interesting, but not necessarily helpful in supporting my faith. It doesn't diminish it either, but I'm just left wondering, 'why?'. Did my mil think this would help me in my new life in the Episcopal Church or the fact that I don't buy into all the miracles of Jesus' story so I am a kindred spirit of the author? I don't know. Since it is hard to get through, I picked up and finished Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier. I liked it better than Girl with a Pearl Earring. Maybe because it included a modern setting I could relate to the characters better. It is a super quick read and one element of the ending is obvious.

Note: forgot to mention that I read Vanishing Acts sometime around the beginning of March. I talk about it in a later notebook entry.

I finished all the available No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books. The next book isn't due in the UK until April, so there is no telling when it will become available on pbs. *sigh* I'm really enjoying this series. I also finished Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Jesus Childhood Friend. It is really funny. My husband liked it a lot too. We recommended it to my mother-in-law. She is somewhat religeous and is sort of a serious lady, so it is hard to say whether she will like it or not. I'll keep you posted. Now, I am reading Twelve Little Cakes, which was recommended to me on the discussion boards a while back. I'm a quarter Czech, so I like hearing stories from the old country and I wonder what it was like for my great-grandparents. I'll be letting my friend borrow it, so I can't post it yet. It has a few people on the wish list. I also finished Reviving Ophelia. This is a non-fiction concerning junior high age girls. If you have girls in your family this is quite an eye opener. Next, I will be reading a Tony Hillerman book that a friend bought me. He is from the area where the books take place and said the descriptions are fantastic. I'll be seeing him on the 14th, but I don't know that I have can have it done by then. Wish me luck!

Instead of reading Christopher Reeve's biography, I thought I would finish the Dave Pelzer series with, "A Man Named Dave". It was a good read. I could understand where he is coming from. I don't have any interest in reading his other books or hearing him speak, but I enjoyed the three books about his life. If you ever need a book to remind you how good you have it, you should read his first book, "A Boy Called 'It'". It was harrowing. I can't believe he made it through his childhood. Just when he had finally given up, staff at his school came to his rescue. It helps me remember that people generally are good. I try to forget when they are sometimes stinkers! =) I get to pick up the correct book at the library this week for the No. 1 Ladies Detective Series. That might be my next book or a friend on the Open Space Advisary Board with me gave me a Tony Hillerman book and swears it is great. Apparently, Hillerman writes about the four corners area a lot(where my friend is from) and really puts you there. I will have to check it out. I haven't spent much time down in that area of the state and it will be nice to get a feel for it.

Let's see. I just finished Cell by Stephen King and before that I read one of the books in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I read Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. My husband is reading it now, but I will post it when he is done. I thought I had the next book for the No. 1 Series on hold at the library, but when I actually saw the book it was the wrong one, so I released my hold and put the correct one on hold. I hate disappointments! What will I read next? Probably a non-fiction because I have a bunch on my tbr. Maybe Christopher Reeve's biography.