i'm starting to get bored.

I'm starting to get bored with book blogging.  I'm starting to get bored with books.
I read The Cheapskate Next Door.  And it was good.  Ho-hum.
I was inspired for awhile to save money and embrace simplicity.  Then it passed. 
I have a pile of non-fiction from the library just stacking up.

I'd rather just watch Bethenny Ever After.  I'm having a moment.  That's all.

and in other news.

Two major developments at read52books.blogspot.com

1)  I discovered I can (IN FACT) get a St. Paul library card as a resident of Washington Cty.  This is good and bad news all at once.  I have a stack of books from here to November that I will never get to read.

2) Maren's new naptime routine involves: gently putting her in the crib & reading her a chapter book.  This is ALL good news.  No more Jewel lullaby.  No more jiggling or rocking.  Just the nice rhythmic read of Little House and perhaps Boxcar Children or Ramona in the near future.

We're midway through Farmer Boy right now and the teacher just whipped the boys from Hardscrabble Settlement.  That Almonzo sure eats a LOT of doughnuts!

he had me at "Mary Pipher"

This is the best non-fiction parenting book I have read in a long time.  I don't even know what to say other than I.  Loved.  It. 

Kim John Payne's book called Simplicity Parenting just makes sense.  I'm ordering a copy for home and school.  Turns out he was a school counselor.  I can definitely see using this book in my counseling practice when I return to work.

And now, I'm going to critique the book.  I researched Kim John Payne and he's on TWITTER.  And he has a blog.  Okay, now I'm confused.  Where does he find time in the rhythm of his day for tweeting ???

Is there NO END to the information overload that floods our homes? 

But he did reference my favorite therapist and author Mary Pipher several times in the book.  All is forgiven.  In the end, this book may impact me just as strongly as Reviving Ophelia did years ago.  It sees the world clearly and offers another option.

I loved this book.  And yes, I added his website to my blog roll.

the one that is FREE on Kindle!

Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim is the most JOYFUL book that I have read in a long time. 

Essentially:
"Four women rent a chateau on a remote Italian island to try to come to grips with their lives and relationships. They explore the differences in their personalities, reassess their goals, and reexamine their relationships in a sisterly fashion."

But that description really does NOT do the book justice.  It's quite lovely.

Lotty was my favorite character.  Her perspective essentially is: if you believe that life (and people) are good, it will become so.  Expect good things.


Not only is Enchanted April free on Kindle, you can instant play the movie adaptation on Netflix!

Now who doesn't want to spend this April in Italy amidst the blooming wisteria?  Sign me up.

the one that is a classic.

Pride and Prejudice.  Finished.  This already feels like my best year of reading EVER and now.

What I like about the book: I learned so many new words.  The Kindle is incredible if you are curious about definitions and such.  My brain felt like it was expanding at every click.  Also, the characters are delectable.  That nasty Wickham and insipid Lydia made me cranky.

What I don't care for:  how incredibly boring life was - balls and drawing rooms and parasols.  It's hard to imagine such idle days and it was difficult to delight in their idleness and catty talk during the first few chapters.





p.s.  I plan to watch the movie version. 
I never have.  Aghast.  I understand the Colin Firth adaptation is supreme.  Thoughts?