FIR Question #1

This year with Fall Into Reading, Katrina is posing a question every Tuesday that has to do with reading. She's curious about what we have to say about reading and it's a great way to connect with other FIR participants. So here's this week's question:

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to your reading? What prevents you from reading as much as you’d like? OR, if you feel like you already read as much as you want to, what choices have you made to make that happen?

I've often said I really wish I had a job where I could just read all day long. Of course, now that I think on it, it would probably only be fun if I could read just what I wanted to. Somehow reading quantum physics textbooks all day for proof reading as a job changes things in the "fun" department. LOL. I read quite a bit and rarely does a day go by that I don't read. I don't read as fast or as much as some of you who have dozens of books on your lists but I think it's pretty good for me considering what else goes on in my life. But on thinking on the question, if I were truly honest, I cannot blame my job (other's have jobs too), or my other involvements such as church and family activities (most of us have a life outside of reading). The answer would definitely have to be tv and blogging. I have definite shows I like to watch and reading goes by the wayside when I watch those. Sometimes I do read while the tv is on and I can mostly manage to do that depending on the book and the show but I definitely read slower and probably with a whole lot less remembering. And since starting blogging, that has taken a big chunk out of my reading books time. There just isn't enough time in a day for me to be able to read all the blogs I like to read and read the amount of books I want to read. So one of them has to give a bit and that goes back and forth on which one it is.

So what stops you from reading as much as you'd like?

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2010

It's fall. That means it's time for Katrina's Fall Into Reading Challenge. I love these reading challenges Katrina holds twice a year. I think it's fun to look through my Want to Read lists, go through my basket of books and check out the library for what I want to make my goal to read in the next few months. I can hardly wait to read through other's lists because invariably I always find titles I want to add to my Want to Read lists. As usual though, my list is subject to change as I get review offers.. I just can't resisit new titles for free. :vP But one of my main goals this challenge was to get at least a couple of my books read that have been sitting in my ever expanding book basket. To join in yourself, see Callapider Days for more info.

Intervention by Terri Blackstock " Barbara Convington has one more chance to save her daughter from a devastating addiction, by staging an intervention. But when the 18 yr. old

disappears on the way to drug treatment and her interventionist is found deat Barbara enterss her darkest nightmare of all." -Just finishing this one up from my summer reading

God Knows My Name by Beth Redman " Drawing on Scripture and her own experience, Redman invites us to explore the revolutionary implications of being loved by a God who knows our name. And she invites us to call on His name as well-to respond to His heart and love Him as He has loved us from the beginning." -Received this for review over the summer but only had time to do a quick scan through it. Definitely want to slow down as I go through it.

the Moment Between by Nicole Baart "A breathtaking story about the emotional risks of relationships, The Moment Between explores the cost of regret, the desire for revenge and the redemptive power of forgivenss." -Found this book when I went to get "After the leaves fall". Could not pass it up!

After the Leaves Fall by Nicole Baart " Her childhood marked by rejection and loss, Julia Bakker longs for life to finally begin. Determined to escape her conservative Christian hometown, she chooses college for a radical reinvention. But following a momentous mistake, the self-defeated Julia returns to her loving grandmother's farm. Will she learn to hope in a God who makes all things new?" -This is going to be a quick reread, more like a scan, for me as the next in the series is on my list. I read it a few years ago, so I want to remind myself what happened.

Summer Snow by Nicole Baart " Julia DeSmit is finally learning to accept her new life. Optimistic and anxious to begin again after dropping out of college, she is taking fumbling steps down a challenging yet hope-filled road. But the careful existence Julia has begun to build falls hopelessly to pieces when her estranged mother, Janice, appears on the front porch one icy March night. Julia is convinced that which is broken cannot be mended. Yet when she faces the very decision her mother did years before, she begins to realize what it means to truly accept grace. Will it be her undoing or the impetus for a change she'd never dared hope for?" -Second in the Threads of Change series.

A Time to Surrender by Sally John & Gary Smalley " Claire and Max Beaumont nearly lost it all, but their marriage and their homestead have now been restored. As they grow in love, they watch as their children feel the effects of their reconciliation: Their son Danny falls in love and lets go of his pride. Daughter Jenna lets go of preconceived notions about marriage when her husband, Kevin the marine, is injured in Iraq. All the Beaumonts ultimately learn that letting go is the best way to receive back healed relationships." -Book 3 in the Safe harbor Series

Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner "While Jane Lindsay waits for her husband to decide if they'll stay married, she finds a 16th-century betrothal ring. Certain that it belonged to Lady Jane Grey, she's drawn to the parallels in their lives. Was Tudor England's 9-day queen another victim of other people's choices? Will Manhattan's Jane realize she's responsible for her own happiness?" -Love Susan Meissner. Can hardly wait to start this one.

Secrets by Robin Jones Gunn "Jessica wants desperately to forget the past and begin a new life. She chooses a small, peaceful town tucked away in Oregon and conceals her identity. But will her deciet ruin all hope for the future?" -This has been tucked away in my book basket for awhile.

The Help by Kathrn Stockett "Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step. Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed." -Been wanting to read this for about a year now and when I saw the hardcover version in perfect condition for $2 at the library sale that sealed the deal. Pulling it out of the book basket.

Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg "A story of a small town in the midst of the mostly joyous transition from war to peach, aiming toward a bright future. " -I've never read a Fannie Flagg book but have heard they are wonderful, so again the library sale supplied me with one. Nabbed it out of by book basket.

And it's a Wrap...Fall Into Reading is Done

It's official, it's the first day of winter. And it's here, for sure, in my area. And the first day of winter always ushers in the wrap up to Fall Into Reading.

So how did I do? Reading wise, great. Sticking to my list wise. Not so great. My list changed quite considerably as time went on. So much so that I can't even remember what was on my original list. I originally had 7 books on my Fall Into Reading List, but that soon ballooned to 15. There were several that I had forgotten about that I had committed to for reviews, so they were added. Several were dropped as they were due back at the library and I just didn't get to them. Several were added, as I just can't go to the library to make a return and leave empty handed, even though I had a pile at home. It's a sickness, I tell ya.

So in total I have finished 8 books, am halfway through 2 more and should finish before Christmas, if all goes as planned. Ha Ha. Another I was a quarter way through but it had to go back to the library, 3 others I didn't even get to before they had to go back. For the first time, I really, really enjoyed every one of my review books. I don't think I can name a favorite among them for that reason. And that is amazing because I even really liked the non-fiction and am almost finished it which is amazing for me. I'm notorious for starting non-fiction but never finishing them. There was one book from the library, I totally disliked which is a shame because I really wanted to like it.

My Finished Books:

"Into the Arms of Immortals" by Ginger Garrett

"Matters of Faith" by Kristy Kiernan

"White Picket Fences" by Susan Meissner

"Wisdom Hunter" by Randall Arthur

"Double Cross" by James David Jordan

"The Last Word" by Kathy Herman

"Julie and Julia" by Julie Powell

"Until We Reach Home" by Lynn Austin

"I Second that Emotion" by Patsy Clairmont (bible study group)

Still Reading but almost done:

"Unexplainable" by Don Cousins

"John 3:16" by Nancy Moser

If you'd like to read any of my reviews they are here. The fall into reading ones start at number 21. There are links to where you can purchase them in my sidebar.


So I'm now off to make my first ever batch of caramel corn. Should be interesting. :v) Merry Christmas to everyone. Have a wonderful holiday celebrating the birth of Christ and enjoying friends and/or family. May you even have time to get a few minutes of reading here and there.

Fall Into Reading 2007 Wrap Up

Well today is the final day and the big wrap up for the Fall into Reading 2007 Challenge. As always I have thoroughly enjoyed participating and thank Katrina from Callipider Days for doing all the organizing and prize giveaways.

Alas, I did not finish all the books on my original list. My original list is here. I was asked to do a couple of book reviews so those sort of bumped the books originally on the list farther down. And then I completely fizzled out at the end of November. I hate to admit I have not even picked up a book since December 1. While finishing up 8 books, only 5 of those are on the original list of eleven. Another was a carry over from the spring challenge, one was a review, one was read at the request of our pastor. You can read reviews for the ones I did finish and others from the year at this link.

Which book did I like the most? I would have to say it was "Idol Eyes" by Mandissa. My kids and I are big fans of American and Canadian Idol and I loved reading about the behind the scenes experiences of American Idol. I found Mandissa's honesty about her feelings, struggles and faith in the Lord refreshing and engaging.

The book I liked the least? I would have to say "23 Minutes in Hell". While not a bad book or badly written it is just not the type of book I would pick up on my own. My pastor requested we read it, so I did.

Alton Gansky was a new author for me this time around and I will read more of his books in the future.

What have I learned? Hmmm, that is sort of hard to answer. First directly from a book, I learned alot from the Many Loves of Marriage which was my carry over from the spring. There were so many nuggets in that book that I bought a journal just to write them all down. And there also many insights from Idol Eyes that touched me. But the one that really taught me a lot of things even though it was fiction, things that have stuck with me, was from "A Vow to Cherish". I learned so much about the devasting disease of Alzhiemer's and I also learned the heart rending effects of it upon the family. I learned what it might be like to have the marriage vows of "in sickness and in health" and "until death do us part" tested, what taking God at His word in a horrendous situation and literally wipe away all excuses and rationalizations and doing what was right and the struggle and victory that come with it must feel like in this situation. It was a very impacting book.

I also learned that I find it hard to force myself to read when I am just not into it. I read voraciously. It's my favorite hobby and I can tend to lay other things aside to read, especially if it's a book that is totally capturing my attention. But when I fizzle out, I really fizzle out. It's like I need a little break. And that's ok too! At least I got some Christmas baking done. :v)

So that's it for the Fall Reading Challenge 2007. I'll have to bump a few of the books into the new year and my list of To Be Read books has once again grown exponentially as I've gone through your lists. I'm looking forward to getting back into reading as I have a whole week off from work. I picture myself in jammies and housecoat curled up on the couch, coffee with Southern Butter Pecan Creamer within close reach, and book in hand. The picture is looking mighty fine.

It's That Time!

Fall. That wonderful time of year with the beautiful colors, the cooler weather, the thicker sweaters and comfy afghans, the kids back in school and....Callipider Days Fall Back Into Reading Challenge. It's here. I've been gathering my books for weeks. And I'm ready to go. How 'bout you?

My pile for this fall:

~The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney by Randy Singer.

A billionare who is diagnosed with inopeable brain cancer decides to stage life's greatest reality show. With followers from all the world's major religions participating, they are put in the trial of their lives on a remote island, defending the spiritual beliefs against all challenges. Oliver Finney, judge, is chosen to defend Christianity but as the program takes twists he realizes that he is in a game which may take his life. With internet access monitored he sends coded messages out to his former law clerk, who must decipher the mysteries contained the in the ancient words of Christ.

~We Are All Welcome Here by Elizabeth Berg

"Valuable lesson about love, honor and the real meaning of family...[a] charming tale of a girl growing to realize just how much she is her mother's daughter." --The New York Times Book Review


~Sins of the Fathers by James Scott Bell

A parent's worst nightmare. A lawyer's biggest challenge. A young boy's life on the line.


~A Vow to Cherish by Deborah Raney

"A startingly honest portrayal of love, commitment and redemption in the midst of tragedy." --Library Journal


~Idol Eyes by Mandissa with Angela Hunt

"I am not the American idol. I'm a plus-sized, thirty year old black woman whose heart belongs to Jesus. I'm just Mandisa, and this is my story."


~The Elevator by Angela Hunt

Three women trapped in an elevator must unite to fight for their lives in the greatest test of courage and faith not realizing thier secrets center on the same man. "Tension builds with the turn of every page of the Elevator, a brilliantly plotted novel." --Liz Curtis Higgs


~the Canopy by Angela Hunt

"Behold the long-awaited cure for ho-hum fiction! The Canopy guides readers on a nail-biting, breath-stealing, spirit-lifting journey through the Peruvian jungle, exploring the varied realms of medicine, science, religion, anthropology and that most mysterious of worlds, the human heart." --Liz Curtis Higgs


~Finder's Fee by Alton Gansky

A business woman helps to find a kidnapped boy. Eight year old Abel Palek will help Judith discover a faith and a life she has never imagined. But freeing him could cost her everything.

~Coral Moon by Brandilyn Collins

Book 2 in the Kanner Lake series. More suspense and mystery comes upon the residents of Kanner Lake.


~Bad Girls of the Bible & what we can learn from them by Liz Curtis Higgs

A contemporary retelling of the bad girls stories with a solid verse-by-verse study of their lives and the lessons we can learn from them.

Continueing this study with my ladies bible study group.


~Our Covenant God: Living in the security of His unfailing love by Kay Arthur

Everyday Mommy is doing this as a read-along starting on the 26th. You can go here for details to join in. I'm still trying to find a copy that I can get in time.


So what are you reading this Fall? Head over to Katrina's to check out other's lists if you need more ideas or to add yourself to the Linky. There's prizes to be won too! Now that's a win/win if I ever heard one.

*updated to add: I also have to add that I will be finishing one book that I didn't quite finish on my spring reading list: The Many Love Marriage by Thomas & Nanette Kincaide