I Can Read

1. Imperfect Birds - Anne Lamott
2. Operating Instructions - Anne Lamott (definitely recommend for any mother's out there)
3. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
4. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
5. The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama
6. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
7. The Green Book - Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen (definitely a book I would recommend for anyone interested in going green)
8. Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah
9. Baby Proof - Emily Giffin
10. Healthy Child Healthy World - Christopher Gavigan (go out and buy it! wonderful resource for keeping your family healthy while living a green lifestyle!)
11. Heart of the Matter - Emily Giffin
12. Bossypants - Tina Fey (Hilarious!)
13. Prey - Michael Crichton
14. Julia's Chocolates - Cathy Lamb
15. In Defense of Food - Michael Pollan
16. One Day - David Nicholls
17. The Help - Kathryn Stockett (Loved it!!)
18. Dismantled - Jennifer McMahon
19. Always Looking Up - Michael J. Fox
20. How to Talk to a Widower - Jonathan Tropper (I will definitely be reading more of this author!)
21. Queen of Babble - Meg Cabot
22. One for the Money - Janet Evanovich
23. Lisey's Story - Stephen King
24. Two for the Dough - Janet Evanovich
25. Room - Emma Donoghue (Fantastic!)
26. Three to Get Deadly - Janet Evanovich
27. Matched - Ally Condi
28. The Giver - Lois Lowry (just as amazing as I remembered it)
29. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling
30. The Last Time I Saw You - Elizabeth Berg
31. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling
32. This is Where I Leave You - Jonathan Tropper
33. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling
34. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling
35. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling (currently listening to)
36. The Art of Racing in the Rain - Garth Stein (currently reading)

Well...I'm making my way thru the Harry Potter series.....but by listening to the audio book, instead of reading.  I listened to the first one and fell in love with the book and to the performance of Jim Dale, who reads each of the audio books.  He is pretty much amazing and even though they are quite long, I think I will continue to listen to them. 

My reading has definitely slowed down.  Football season just finished for my husband but I had been taking care of William in the evenings without the extra help - didn't leave much time for reading.  Fall is here and that means new TV show episodes....I can't resist.  William is also of the age now that anything you have, he MUST have.  This includes books which makes for a very difficult time reading, unless he's already gone to bed.  Even with only a couple months left in 2011, I am happy with the amount of books I've read this year.  I'm already up to about 36, which is (sadly) more books than I think I've read in the last ten years COMBINED!  It feels very good and I'm actually enjoying myself!

  

I Can Read

1. Imperfect Birds - Anne Lamott
2. Operating Instructions - Anne Lamott (definitely recommend for any mother's out there)
3. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
4. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
5. The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama (audio book)
6. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
7. The Green Book - Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen (definitely a book I would recommend for anyone interested in going green)
8. Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah
9. Baby Proof - Emily Giffin (audio book)
10. Healthy Child Healthy World - Christopher Gavigan (go out and buy it! wonderful resource for keeping your family healthy while living a green lifestyle!)
11. Heart of the Matter - Emily Giffin
12. Bossypants - Tina Fey (Hilarious!)
13. Prey - Michael Crichton (audio book)
14. Julia's Chocolates - Cathy Lamb
15. In Defense of Food - Michael Pollan
16. One Day - David Nicholls
17. The Help - Kathryn Stockett (Loved it!!)
18. Dismantled - Jennifer McMahon
19. Always Looking Up - Michael J. Fox
20. How to Talk to a Widower - Jonathan Tropper (I will definitely be reading more of this author!)
21. Queen of Babble - Meg Cabot
22. One for the Money - Janet Evanovich
23. Lisey's Story - Stephen King
24. Two for the Dough - Janet Evanovich
25. Room - Emma Donoghue (Fantastic!)
26. Three to Get Deadly - Janet Evanovich
27. Matched - Ally Condi
28. The Giver - Lois Lowry (just as amazing as I remembered it)
29. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling (audio book)
30. The Last Time I Saw You - Elizabeth Berg
31. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling (audio book)
32. The Book of Joe - Jonathan Tropper (up next)
33. This is Where I Leave You - Jonathan Tropper (up next)

I couldn't resist reading The Giver again since it has been a favorite book of mine since I was younger.  I am also determined to read the Harry Potter series.  Since I tackled a long road trip to Ohio and back, I decided to start those as audio books but I'm intrigued enough that I can definitely see myself continuing.  It's a worldwide sensation, I think I should at least see what the fuss is about since I hadn't previously read any of them or seen any of the movies - no I do not live under a rock.  The next up books with be some more Jonathan Tropper books.  I just loved How to Talk to a Widower - loved his humor, loved his sensitivity, loved his style.  Yes, please. 

Any recommendations on anything you have read lately?

I can read...

1. Imperfect Birds - Anne Lamott
2. Operating Instructions - Anne Lamott (definitely recommend for any mother's out there)
3. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
4. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
5. The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama (audio book)
6. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
7. The Green Book - Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen (definitely a book I would recommend for anyone interested in going green)
8. Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah
9. Baby Proof - Emily Giffin (audio book)
10. Healthy Child Healthy World - Christopher Gavigan (go out and buy it! wonderful resource for keeping your family healthy while living a green lifestyle!)
11. Heart of the Matter - Emily Giffin
12. Bossypants - Tina Fey (Hilarious!)
13. Prey - Michael Crichton (audio book)
14. Julia's Chocolates - Cathy Lamb
15. In Defense of Food - Michael Pollan
16. One Day - David Nicholls
17. The Help - Kathryn Stockett (Loved it!!)
18. Dismantled - Jennifer McMahon
19. Always Looking Up - Michael J. Fox
20. How to Talk to a Widower - Jonathan Tropper (I will definitely be reading more of this author!)
21. Queen of Babble - Meg Cabot
22. One for the Money - Janet Evanovich
23. Lisey's Story - Stephen King
24. Two for the Dough - Janet Evanovich
25. Room - Emma Donoghue (Fantastic!) 
26. Three to Get Deadly - Janet Evanovich (currently reading)
27. Matched - Ally Condi (currently reading)
28. The Giver - Lois Lowry (up next - I remember this as my favorite book when I was younger)

I'm definitely digging the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.  Definitely entertaining and easy reads.  I finished my first Stephen King book - although it was very long, I was intrigued and couldn't put it down.  The pain and the love was enough to make your heart break.  I would absolutely recommend Room.  It was wonderful and heartbreaking.  I can't even put it into words.  I couldn't put it down. 

Up next are some easier reads.  The Giver was one of my favorite books when I was younger and I can't wait to read it again.  Since it's a young adult, I'm imagining it will be a quick read. 

Any recommendations on what I should read next? 

I Can Read

1. Imperfect Birds - Anne Lamott
2. Operating Instructions - Anne Lamott (definitely recommend for any mother's out there)
3. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
4. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
5. The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama (audio book)
6. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
7. The Green Book - Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen  (definitely a book I would recommend for anyone interested in going green)
8. Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah
9. Baby Proof - Emily Giffin (audio book)
10. Healthy Child Healthy World - Christopher Gavigan  (go out and buy it! wonderful resource for keeping your family healthy while living a green lifestyle!)
11. Heart of the Matter - Emily Giffin
12. Bossypants - Tina Fey  (Hilarious!)
13. Prey - Michael Crichton (audio book)
14. Julia's Chocolates - Cathy Lamb
15. In Defense of Food - Michael Pollan
16. One Day - David Nicholls
17. The Help - Kathryn Stockett   (Loved it!!)
18. Dismantled - Jennifer McMahon  
19. Always Look Up - Michael J. Fox
20. How to Talk to a Widower - Jonathan Tropper (currently reading)
21. Queen of Babble - Meg Cabot (currently listening to)
22. Room - Emma Donoghue (up next)

I am still just so happy that I have fallen in love with reading.  Since I started these in April, this is the most books I've read than in the last ten years of my life combined.  It makes me happy!

I would highly recommend The Help.  I can wait to also see the movie that comes out next month.

I just started How to Talk to a Widower and I can tell I am going to love Jonathan Tropper's writing.  I am literally on page nine and he is fabulous -

It's supposed to be charming having rabbits in your lawn, a selling point, incontrovertible proof that you've made it out of the city and into the rarefied country air of suburban Westchester. We may be driving enough minivans and SUVs to singlehandedly melt the polar ice caps, may be retrofitting our stately eighty-year-old homes with enough fiber optic cable to garrote the planet, may be growing Home Depots, Wal-Marts, Stop & Shops, and strip malls like tumors on every available grassland, but we've got these rabbits, scurrying back and forth across the lawn like a goddamn Disney movie, so case closed.  We are one with nature.

Love it.

Reading anything good lately?

 

I can read

1. Imperfect Birds - Anne Lamott
2. Operating Instructions - Anne Lamott (definitely recommend for any mother's out there)
3. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
4. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
5. The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama (audio book)
6. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
7. The Green Book - Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen (definitely a book I would recommend for anyone interested in going green)
8. Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah
9. Baby Proof - Emily Giffin (audio book)
10. Healthy Child Healthy World - Christopher Gavigan (go out and buy it! wonderful resource for keeping your family healthy while living a green lifestyle!)
11. Heart of the Matter - Emily Giffin
12. Bossypants - Tina Fey
13. Prey - Michael Crichton (audio book)
14. Julia's Chocolates - Cathy Lamb
15. In Defense of Food - Michael Pollan
16. One Day - David Nicholls (currently reading)
17. The Help - Kathryn Stockett (currently reading)
18. Dismantled - Jennifer McMahon (up next)

Most of the books I read are recommendations from friends (or mostly one friend - thanks Alisha).  Every now and then I will hear about a book on TV or at work and I will make note of it on my phone to check out at the library later.  I heard of Tina Fey's Bossypants on Oprah (of course) and put it on hold at the library behind the 75 other people.  HIL.AR.I.OUS!  This is Tina's autobiography - she talks about her start in improv, moving to SNL, creating 30 rock and motherhood.  It's an easy read and she is a very funny writer.  Looking for a laugh - check it out.

Also, In Defense of Food was quite an eye-opening book for me.  It made me think of the food that is available to us in a different way.  It's not a book to live by to lose weight, it's a book to educate you on where your food is coming from and what you should be considering when you select what you eat each day.  Definitely informational for me.
Sinve I've been reading much more lately, I haven't watched TV almost at all.  So instead of plopping my rear on the couch and staring at the tube during my free time, I'm plopping my rear on the couch and staring whatever book I'm currently obsessed with.  Is this an improvement?  haha

I can read

Here's an update on what I've been checking out at the library.....

1. Imperfect Birds - Anne Lamott
2. Operating Instructions - Anne Lamott (definitely recommend for any mother's out there)
3. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
4. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
5. The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama (audio book)
6. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
7. The Green Book - Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen (definitely a book I would recommend for anyone interested in going green)
8. Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah
9. Baby Proof - Emily Giffin (audio book)
10. Healthy Child Healthy World - Christopher Gavigan [in process] loving it already!
11. Heart of the Matter - Emily Giffin [in process]
12. Bossypants - Tina Fey [in process]

Do you have a favorite book?  Any suggestions on something I should read next?

Parenting is...

I recently read (OK, listened to the audio book) The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama.  I'm not a fan of politics in general and (shame on me) don't follow all that closely.  I figured it would be interesting to read a book by the President and gave it a shot.  He gives quite an interested perspective on things and discusses topics from government to economy to family.  I probably couldn't go into too much detail on any of these topics, I guess they really didn't 'sink in'.  There was something at the end of the book, when he was discussing family, that stuck out and I adore it.  He began discussing his daughter's fifth birthday party -

"...the gymnastics instructor gathered all the kids around an old, multicolored parachute and told Sasha to sit at its center.  On the count of three, Sasha was hoisted up into the air and back down again, then up for a second time, and then for a third.  And each time she rose above the billowing sail, she laughed and laughed with a look of pure joy. 

"I wonder if Sasha will remember that moment when she is grown.  Probably not; it seems as if I can retrieve only the barest fragments of memory from when I was five.  But I suspect that the happiness she felt on that parachute registers permanently in her; that such moments accumulate and embed themselves in a child's character, becoming a part of their soul.  "

I guess I had always believed this, but I love the way he put it - "...such moments accumulate and embed themselves in a child's character, becoming a part of their soul."  As a new parent, it's a wonderful idea and a huge responsibility to think of it this way.  To think that every smile and laugh I help to create with my own son is being embedded in his soul.  And the same might be true for any unhappiness or tears that I help create.  What an amazing responsibility to have....

I can read

So it has been less than a month since I got my library card and the list of books I've read continues to grow....

1. Imperfect Birds - Anne Lamott
2. Operating Instructions - Anne Lamott [definitely recommend for any mother's out there]
3. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
4. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
5. The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama (audio book)
6. The Green Book - Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen [definitely a book I would recommend for everyone!  Tons of great ideas for becoming green and a great reference]
7. Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah (in process)

Now I'm just waiting for some reader to return Mockingjay to the library, the third and last in the series of The Hunger Games by Suzanna Collins!  What a great series - seriously couldn't put them down!!  [great recommendation, Leesh :) ]

Sadly, this list isn't a huge list for 2011 so far, but let's just say - as the "non-reader" that I am, in the last three weeks I have read more books than I read in 2010....sad, I know.

I can read...

Less than two weeks ago, I wrote about how I got my first library card in pretty much forever (Post:  A trip to the library).  Libraries are not a new thing, I get that.  However, my new found appreciation for them makes me giddy.  I feel the need to now bring them up in everyday conversations with people - "Have you been to the library recently?  They have so many books there and they are all free to read!"  As if people didn't know this already.  But since I just figured out the magical-ness that is the public library, I just assume that no one else knows this yet, otherwise I would expect people to be walking around with I heart Library t-shirts and singing of its said magical-ness. 

My 2010 new year's resolution was to read more - at least a book a month.  I think I read a piddly six books last year?  First of all, that's embarrassing, I know.  Second, I paid for all of them.  So less than two weeks after getting my new, magical (what can I say, this is my word) library card, I have two books completed and I'm working my way through a third and ready to start on my fourth.  I'm working to read a little fiction and non-fiction to get a little variety (I'm generally a non-fiction kind of gal). 

So far -

1. Imperfect Birds by Anne Lamott
2. Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott

Since I've already admitted that I'm not much of a reader, I understand that perhaps my literary opinion doesn't mean much to anyone.  I will say that Anne Lamott is an excellent writer.  I will also say that Operating Instructions is probably one of my favorite books of all time.  She writes about her journey as a new, single mother to her son, Sam.  She shares her ups and downs through the first year of motherhood.  It is so honest and touching and I found myself laughing out loud through most of it.  I'm sure one of the reasons I fell in love with this book is that I'm going through many of these experiences myself while raising my own son.  I found myself nodding my head with so many of Lamott's experiences that I can relate to -

I was a mess all morning. Maybe my hormones are raging, maybe that's what the craziness was all about. Something is really off. Part of me wants my body back, wants to stop being a moo-cow, and part of me thinks about nursing him through kindergarten. I know a woman who nursed her daughter until the girl was almost four, and of course we all went around thinking that it was a bit much, too Last Emperor for our blood. But now when Sam and I are nursing, it crosses my mind that I will never ever be willing to give this up. It'll be okay, I think to myself, we can get it to work, I'll follow him to college but I'll stay totally out of the way....This the easiest, purest communication I've ever know.

My favorite passage from the book is one that touched my heart and is something that I continue to learn each and every day -

One thing about Sam, one thing about having a baby, is that each step of the way you simply cannot imagine loving him any more than you already do because you are bursting with love, loving as much as you are humanly capable of - and then you do, you love him even more.

How absolutely true...

I'm now off reading my next books, The Green Book and The Hunger Games.

A trip to the library

I did something yesterday that I haven't done (I'm ashamed to admit) in almost ten years....I went to the library.  I got a library card and checked out my first book in just as long. 

This doesn't mean that I haven't read a book in ten years, I just tend to buy them (or in rare cases, just borrow from someone) and even then the list has been small of the books I've read.  Since my hubby and I are on a mission to eliminate our debt and start saving more, we have been evaluating the things we spend money on.  We ask ourselves if we really need the item and look for alternatives if there are any.  We even have our own envelopes of 'personal spending' money that we each get to spend on things.  Once it's gone, no more until the next month for anything personal or eating out. 

So this week, I found a post over at Phase Three of Life talking about a book that sounded like a good read - Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions: A journal of My Son's First Year.  She even linked to Amazon and with that dangerous '1-click ordering' button, it was an easy purchase and a great price.  Then I stopped...do I NEED to buy this?  Wouldn't it be great if there was a magical building that stored lots and lots of books and they let you borrow them for free?  What a concept?  So I headed to the library.

They didn't have Operating Instructions, so they are ordering it from another location.  In the meantime, I've started Anne Lamott's Imperfect Birds.

Wow...look at me - library cards and reading and fiction [I'm totally a non-fiction, science kind of gal] and buying parts for a diaper sprayer.  I hardly recognize myself.  hehe

This is also a step in the right direction to set a good example for my lil' man.  How can I expect to raise him to understand that books and reading are wonderful and so important if I, myself, don't pick up a book regularly.  Baby steps....

Hello Third Trimester!

I can't wait, especially after reading my lovely daily pregnancy book - always bringing the thrills!

"Besides the continued growth and development of your baby, the third trimester ultimately serves one purpose:  To make you uncomfortable, so over it, so tired, so achy, so bitchy, so itchy, and so freakishly huge, that you will do anything to get the baby out of you, including pushing it out of a place where a tampon once felt gigantic.  This is Mother Nature's way of inspiring you at the end of your pregnancy, even though we spent the previous eight months thinking, "Okay, how is this going to happen again?"

See how entertaining this book is?!  A must have for prego women and would be a great gift - The Pregnancy Countdown Book

In other news - the store DID have a crib in stock!!  It must have been hiding just for us.  So hopefully this weekend will be filled with fixing up the nursery for William!

Also, next Sunday marks the beginning of our series of childbirth classes.  I'm actually really excited for them!

And finally, tomorrow is 3D/4D ultrasound!!!  I will be sure to post pictures!  Can't wait to see William again!

My Chuckle of the Day

So my always-entertaining daily pregnancy countdown has done it again...made me laugh, for sure.

Day 90
"As your second trimester ends and your third begins, reality sets in.  You look at your stomach; you know about how big your vagina is; and you may be thinking, 'Okay, a baby is going to come out of there.  That is going to hurt.'"

Dear Book,
I've been thinking that for awhile now......
Sincerely,
Stephanie

New Year's Resolution 2010

So my 2010 New Year's Resolution was simply this - read more. 

I'm embarrassed to say that I don't read very much at all.  So my goal this year was to read at least one book a month (even my goal is a pathetic number, I know!).  I enjoy non-fiction books.  If it involves nerdy science or psychology or human biology.....I'm in!

So with the event of getting pregnant occurring so early in the year, most of book selections have turned into pregnancy-related reads.  Still counts, right?

Here is the 2010 books read so far this year and the ones to come.  I'm still shooting for a goal of 12 books by the end of the year!!  So I need to step it up for the rest of 2010.

1. Tipping Point by Maclom Gladwell - great book describing the differences in  ideas or trends that catch on a spread like crazy and the ones that, well...don't
2. What to Expect When You're Expecting by Murkoff, Mazel and Lockwood - kind of a cliche read for pregos out there, but a great guide to explain changes in my body that I should expect and the growth of the baby
3. I'm Pregnant: A week-by-week guide by Lesley Regan - just as the title implies, a book about the development of the baby and changes in my own body
4. Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy - hilarious book about the side effects of pregnancy
5. Why Men Never Listen and Why Women Can't Read Maps byAllan and Barbara Pease (in process) - differences between men and women in the way we think, act and communicate
6. Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream by Jennifer Ackerman (in process) - your body thru a typical day and why we do the things we do (fascinating!!  love this book!)
7. The Girl's Guide to Being a Boss (without being a bitch) by Caitlin Friedman & Kimberly Yorio (coming up next perhaps??)
8. That's Not in My Science Book by Kate Kelly (another one coming up this year?) - in depth look at some of the scientific facts that we take for granted on a daily basis

So, as you can see, aside from the pregnancy related books, I do tend to read non-fiction and I just love reading random, useless facts that I will probably never need to know again.  What can I say, I'm a nerd at heart.  I do know that I need to get my little tush cracking if I expect to still meet my goal this year!!  Yikes!!

Any suggestions from all you "real" readers out there on books you'd recommend???  (I'm totally up for some fiction too....I'm not a complete dork)

Belly Laughs

Amazon.com can be a little dangerous!  They have a "Buy Now with 1 Click" button.  No logging in, no entering shipping address, no inputting payment information.  You literally click and you bought it from previously entered information.  It's too convenient of a button NOT to push it!!

I have used said button several times.  It's a wonderful feature and it can get me in trouble!! HA!

On Tuesday, I used the button to purchase Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth about Pregnancy and Childbirth by Jenny McCarthy.  I had heard about this book when I was in college and remember skimming thru it (completely un-pregnant) at the time and finding it hilarious.  I haven't been reading as much as I would have liked this year, so I figured this would be a fun read to get me going again.  Well, one click, next day delivery and a few hours later - FINISHED!

If you are looking for a very informative book regarding pregnancy, this is not the book for you.  If you are uncomfortable by the very discussion or thought about female bodily functions, this is definitely not the book for you.  If you want to laugh until you have tears in your eyes regarding the 'interesting' and perhaps not-so-fun aspects of pregnancy, please read!  Jenny McCarthy is, for lack of a better word, a hoot!  She tells it like it is about the "other" side of pregnancy. 

Discussion includes her experience with the side effects of pregnancy - morning sickness, gas, constipation, growth of about every part of your body, even sex during pregnancy.  As someone who is about half-way thru her pregnancy, I was very entertained by it all!  It's a super easy read (obviously, since a non-reader finished it in a matter of one evening).

Amazon....you did it again.  Too convenient to be true.....