April Book List

Some of these were books I picked up at the one-dollar bookstore closing, so they may seem a little random. :)

Limbo by Ann Manette Ansay
A memoir by a woman who was trained all her childhood life as a concert pianist, then contracted a mysterious MS-like disease that still isn't diagnosed. It was interesting. She's also a fiction author, and I plan to read some of her other books. Apparently her Vinegar Hill was one of Oprah's book club books (which usually means I should avoid it at all costs, but she's an excellent writer).

Flabbergasted and A Delirious Summer by Ray Blackston
I love Ray Blackston. I don't think there's another voice like his anywhere in Christian fiction. I had read Flabbergasted before, but just recently bought it and the sequel. They're fun beachy novels that will make you laugh and think and recognize people you know. I can't wait for Lost in Rooville.

Happy All The Time by Laurie Colwin
This is a sweet, charming, funny story about two cousins who are best friends, and the women they marry. It made me smile a lot and read parts aloud to Evan. LOVED it.

Theodora's Diary by Penny Culliford
Another Christian chick lit, with pretty much the same formula as all the other Christian chick lit. I liked it, but this is the first book in which I've actually been disappointed by who she ended up with, even though I know I'm not supposed to be. Have I gone crazy in the shipping department? We'll know for sure if I start harping about Laurie marrying the wrong March sister.

Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
Anne Lamott is one of my favorite writers, but parts of her new book left me kind of dry. Maybe it's just hard for me to stomach all the Bush-bashing. Anyway, there is some great stuff in here, and it's fun to hear about her son getting older (since she's talked so much about his babyhood and childhood in other books).

Disturbing the Peace by Nancy Newman
A novel about a woman searching for her birth mother. Entertaining, but forgettable.

Take the Cannoli by Sarah Vowell
About halfway through this book of essays, I realized that Sarah Vowell is the voice of Violet in The Incredibles. This immediately made her more interesting. :) I liked the book okay, but parts of it seemed to drag on a little too long. She's very sharp and witty, though. I loved the story about shooting off the cannon with her dad.

Girl Meets God by Lauren Winner BOOK OF THE MONTH
I've been wanting to read this since it came out, but of course our library didn't have it. (Am I the only person who doesn't/can't buy every book she wants to read? People are starting to look at me weirdly when I explain that I can't read something because it's not at the library.) Anyway, I finally borrowed it from Casey. For those who aren't familiar with it, it's a memoir about how she converted to Orthodox Judaism and then became a Christian just a couple of years later. The whole book is organized around the liturgical calendar. It is fascinating. She's an incredibly insightful writer. I learned so much about how Jewish traditions correspond with Christian traditions, and it made me feel in touch with my Jewish roots. :) One thing I loved about this book was the way she and her friends would get together of their own accord and study and discuss Torah together. That is so cool. I wish my friends and I were that academic. Anyway, read this. You won't regret it.

April Book List

Some of these were books I picked up at the one-dollar bookstore closing, so they may seem a little random. :)

Limbo by Ann Manette Ansay
A memoir by a woman who was trained all her childhood life as a concert pianist, then contracted a mysterious MS-like disease that still isn't diagnosed. It was interesting. She's also a fiction author, and I plan to read some of her other books. Apparently her Vinegar Hill was one of Oprah's book club books (which usually means I should avoid it at all costs, but she's an excellent writer).

Flabbergasted and A Delirious Summer by Ray Blackston
I love Ray Blackston. I don't think there's another voice like his anywhere in Christian fiction. I had read Flabbergasted before, but just recently bought it and the sequel. They're fun beachy novels that will make you laugh and think and recognize people you know. I can't wait for Lost in Rooville.

Happy All The Time by Laurie Colwin
This is a sweet, charming, funny story about two cousins who are best friends, and the women they marry. It made me smile a lot and read parts aloud to Evan. LOVED it.

Theodora's Diary by Penny Culliford
Another Christian chick lit, with pretty much the same formula as all the other Christian chick lit. I liked it, but this is the first book in which I've actually been disappointed by who she ended up with, even though I know I'm not supposed to be. Have I gone crazy in the shipping department? We'll know for sure if I start harping about Laurie marrying the wrong March sister.

Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
Anne Lamott is one of my favorite writers, but parts of her new book left me kind of dry. Maybe it's just hard for me to stomach all the Bush-bashing. Anyway, there is some great stuff in here, and it's fun to hear about her son getting older (since she's talked so much about his babyhood and childhood in other books).

Disturbing the Peace by Nancy Newman
A novel about a woman searching for her birth mother. Entertaining, but forgettable.

Take the Cannoli by Sarah Vowell
About halfway through this book of essays, I realized that Sarah Vowell is the voice of Violet in The Incredibles. This immediately made her more interesting. :) I liked the book okay, but parts of it seemed to drag on a little too long. She's very sharp and witty, though. I loved the story about shooting off the cannon with her dad.

Girl Meets God by Lauren Winner BOOK OF THE MONTH
I've been wanting to read this since it came out, but of course our library didn't have it. (Am I the only person who doesn't/can't buy every book she wants to read? People are starting to look at me weirdly when I explain that I can't read something because it's not at the library.) Anyway, I finally borrowed it from Casey. For those who aren't familiar with it, it's a memoir about how she converted to Orthodox Judaism and then became a Christian just a couple of years later. The whole book is organized around the liturgical calendar. It is fascinating. She's an incredibly insightful writer. I learned so much about how Jewish traditions correspond with Christian traditions, and it made me feel in touch with my Jewish roots. :) One thing I loved about this book was the way she and her friends would get together of their own accord and study and discuss Torah together. That is so cool. I wish my friends and I were that academic. Anyway, read this. You won't regret it.