Twilight

I know Katie has started reading the Twilight books . . . has anyone else? I am so intrigued. I almost wish we read them so we could go to the midnight book release next weekend. Salon recently published an interesting commentary on these books, starting with the observation that the main character is no Buffy!

The Post-Birthday World: Final Results

didn't like it - 0
it was OK -0
liked it -0
really liked it - 3
it was amazing -1
didn't finish it -0

4 votes total

365 Nights

If you were at book club Tuesday night, you know what I am talking about. . .

Charla Muller, the author of 365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy is coming to the Regulator Bookshop Friday, July 25.

Exciting Girl Stuff News!

Lush Cosmetics is opening a store in Crabtree! If only it were Southpoint . . .

Sonya's Answers to Reading Quiz

1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?
I think I always loved to read- my parents say I memorized books from about the age of two. But the first book I remember completely adoring was Anne of Green Gables- I devoured the entire series and read them many times. I just loved Anne so much and even took to naming the trees and streams near my house like she did in the books.
2. What are some books you read as a child?
Well, guess I should have looked ahead, but when I was really small I loved a book called I am a Mouse and Sesame Street books like The Monster at the End of This Book. Later, I loved The Babysitter's Club and choose-your-own-adventure books.
3. What is your favorite genre?
Fiction, but I like both contemporary and literary.
4. Do you have a favorite novel?
The Poisonwood Bible
5. Where do you usually read?
Anywhere I get the chance, but usually in bed or on the couch.
6. When do you usually read?
Before bed or during a sporting event I'm not interested in.
7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
I can barely handle one at a time.
8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
No.
9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
I try to get most of my books at the library- I love the idea of being able to give them back when I'm finished with them, plus it saves money. But, I do buy on occasion and seem to do that more frequently these days for convenience's sake.
10. Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?
I give them away in big stacks to Goodwill, or if it's a book I really love, to my sister or mom.
11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? Were they some of the same ones you read as a child?
The Monster at the End of this Book, Goodnight Moon, I am a Mouse and fairytales- all books I read as a child.
12. What are you reading now?
Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama, with no chance of finishing before tonight.
13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
Right now I have a stack of books on my nightstand from an overly ambitious plan to read three books while on vacation (I read about 30 pages total the entire week), but usually I don't have a list.
14. What’s next?
Probably next month's book pick, but I really want to read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver and it's in the aforementioned stack.
15. What books would you like to reread?
I'd love to re-read books I hold very dear, like Poisonwood Bible, The Red Tent, Circle of Friends and other books that really spoke to me the first time I read them to see how my perspective has changed. I also think I need to read Atonement again- I liked it the first time, but I don't think fully appreciated it.
16. Who are your favorite authors?
Barbara Kingsolver, Maeve Binchy, Jane Austen, Meg Cabot and David Sedaris (how's that for diverse?)

Allison's Answers

1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?
I remember being read to a lot plus my mom was a teacher.
2. What are some books you read as a child?
Berenstain Bears, Beatrix Potter, Ramona Quimby
3. What is your favorite genre?
Literary fiction
4. Do you have a favorite novel?
To Kill A Mockingbird
5. Where do you usually read?
On the couch or on my porch
6. When do you usually read?
Weekend days
7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
No, I usually read one book over a couple of days rather than drag several books out for weeks.
8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
No but I also don't read a lot of nonfiction.
9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
This is embarrassing given my profession but I usually buy them. I've found this to be true of most librarians so I don't feel too bad.
10. Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?
If I love a book I keep it, otherwise I give them away.
11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? Were they some of the same ones you read as a child?
I don't have children but I tend to gravitate towards Eric Carle books when reading to kids or giving gifts. Today I read The Very Hungry Catapillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? to my nephew.
12. What are you reading now?
Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama, of course
13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
Yes, see "Allison's Bookshelf" under Links
14. What’s next?
Something fun, maybe a Jennifer Weiner book or the new Lauren Weisberger book.
15. What books would you like to reread?
There's too much I want to read for the first time so I don't think I'll be rereading anything in the near future.
16. Who are your favorite authors?
Ian McEwan, Margaret Atwood, Anne Tyler

Liz's Answers

This only took me 5 minutes!

1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?
No. I don't remember not loving to read.
2. What are some books you read as a child?
Dr. Seuss, Curious George, the Shoes books, Beverly Cleary
3. What is your favorite genre?
Literary fiction
4. Do you have a favorite novel?
The Cider House Rules, Emma, Atonement, East of Eden, or The Post-Birthday World
5. Where do you usually read?
In bed. Before I had a child, I read on the sofa in the living room. Sometimes I still read there if he's asleep.
6. When do you usually read?
Naptime on weekends and before bed during the week. Sometimes at lunch.
7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
Yes.
8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
No.
9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
I check most of them out from the library. Property is a sin! (I'm not serious about that. But I do hate accumulating things. And I love libraries.)
10. Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?
I try to give them away unless they are an absolute favorite or a reference book.
11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? Were they some of the same ones you read as a child?
Green Eggs and Ham, The Little House, Goodnight Moon (yes, yes, no)
12. What are you reading now?
Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama and Careless in Red by Elizabeth George
13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
Yes, you can view it here.
14. What’s next?
The History of Love by Nicole Kraus.
15. What books would you like to reread?
Emma, The Cider House Rules, The Post-Birthday World
16. Who are your favorite authors?
Jane Austen, George Eliot, Philip Pullman, Elizabeth George

Monday Bookish Meme

Yep, I know it's Thursday. Busy week. It's a long one from Barbara H.

Cut and paste these questions into your own post, or answer in the comments. You can just pick and choose which questions you want to answer.

1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?
2. What are some books you read as a child?
3. What is your favorite genre?
4. Do you have a favorite novel?
5. Where do you usually read?
6. When do you usually read?
7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
10. Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?
11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? Were they some of the same ones you read as a child?
12. What are you reading now?
13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
14. What’s next?
15. What books would you like to reread?
16. Who are your favorite authors?

My Elizabeth Gilbert Moment

Last week, I tried a new yoga/meditation practice called Yoga Nidra. Yoga Nidra is also referred to as yogic sleep. It is a guided meditation you do while lying down. I went to a class given by Donna Norfolk at the Yoga Practice Center. The session lasted about 90 minutes. We started by greeting each other and just settling down. Then, we recited (chanted) a yoga sutra called the four great attitudes. The attitudes are:

• peacefulness towards all beings
• joyfulness towards all beings
• kindness towards all beings
• compassion towards all beings

After the chant, we spent about an hour being guided through a body scan in which we were made aware of all the energy in different locations of our bodies. Then we had some time of complete silence. I went in and out of sleep at the beginning but once I woke up fully, it was a very interesting feeling of being completely alert and relaxed. Amazingly the time flew by without me being aware of it passing. Having the full hour and a half with no pressure to do anything but relax and explore my mind was luxurious. At the very end we wrapped up and completed the chant again. I found myself thinking, "I have to tell my book club about this!" and "This is so Eat, Pray, Love!" I left feeling refreshed and also a little on the happy "I love all things!" side. I recommend trying it if you can find a class.