Books & Reading

Hi friends,
Thanks for joining me on my 'books and reading' tab.

Due to my consulting job, I've been spending lots of time on airplanes reading. Here's what I've been reading lately:






 
  
 
 








Fall 2013 reading:
  
  

 
What about you? What are you reading? Here's what is currently on my amazon wish list. Have you read any of them? Which are good? What should I read this winter?
 
    



Here's what I actually read this past summer of 2013:

  
   
 

How about you? What are you going to be reading this summer? Please share. I love hearing books friends are enjoying.
Happy Reading-
Megan

Friends- I refound this video of my daughter Bryce as a 1 year old reading genius baby that I wanted to share with you in a proud mommy sharing moment:


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http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NtHahPlSv7M

Here's the same little monkey 3 years later at age 4 still "reading" but this time she has an audience:

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AFDSEOwv8Gs#!


I thought it was about time to share with you what I've read lately. Lots of great reading here! I have to admit, I am a bit of a book snob. By that admission, I mean that I only want to read really great books. Here's my recent list for fall 2012-winter/spring 2013. How about you? What have you read lately? I'd love to hear from you! Happy reading!!!!
Megan

              

Here's what was on my Summer Reading List 2012.


 


 


 













 
 
















 












Still on my list to read. Haven't read yet:



 



While my husband and I stole away for almost a week of vacation just the two of us, I had the luxury of reading three books (all excellent!!!!):


Great books I read in 2011:

 









How about you? What are you reading?
Happy Reading-
Megan

I want to welcome my Guest Blogger and fellow decorator and reader, Barb:



Barb writes: 
 "How do you pick a good book to read? Do you go by its cover? Friend recommendation? Book Reviews? I have to be captured in the first few chapters in order for me to be committed. I am an avid reader, belong to a relaxed, womenʼs book club that drinks more wine than discusses books (I am not proud!),  keep current on new books by reading reviews ....and I enjoy my Kindle more than “LIFE” itself. Quite frankly, it is the best gift I have ever given myself!"

Barb shares a little about herself:
"I enjoy decorating my house, renovating my daughter's house in NY, painting, counted cross stitch samplers, gardening and volunteering at the local hospital in town. But I must say, that I read a lot...whenever I have the chance. It is definitely a passion of mine and I love to spread what I have read to others. Whether it is lending a book (I still have many in my house in book form) or recommending off my KINDLE. You canʼt go wrong with a good book."

Barb shares her favorite CURRENT READS:


Barb's Favorite Current and Not So Reads (not in any order):


1.  Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
2.  The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
3.   Stones From the River by Ursula Hegi
4.   The Lion’s Game and The Lion by Nelson DeMille
5.   Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons by Lorna Landvik
6.   The Wisdom of Menapause by Christine Northrup
7.   One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus
8.   Cane River by Lalita Tademy
9.   The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
10. The Time Traveler’s Wife byAudrey Niffenegger
11. Sullivan’s Island by Dorothea Benton Frank
12. Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen
13. Ireland by Frank Delaney
14. Pillars of the Earth  & World Without End by Ken Follett
15. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
16. Around the Next Corner by Elizabeth Wrenn
17. Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
18. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
19. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
20. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
21. 3 Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen
22. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows
23. Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
24. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
25. Little Bee by Chris Cleave
26. South of Broad by Pat Conroy
27. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
28. Still Alice by Lisa Genova
29. Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
30. A Reliable WIfe by Robert Goolrick
31. Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
32. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
33. Somewhere Inside: Story of Laura Ling by Lisa and Laura Ling
34. Midwives by Chris Bojhalian
35. The Likeness by Tana French

Barb writes: "Who doesnʼt love a good read? Whether it is a quick read or one that consumes you for a month or two...there is nothing better than a book that swallows you up. I tend to read lighter in the summer and save my “BIG” books for the cold winter nights. Either way, I am never without a book and now... my KINDLE!!!"




Barb shares her favorite CLASSIC READS:




Barb's Favorite Classic Reads (no special order):

1. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurrtry
2. Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
3. East of Eden by John Steinbeck
4. Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
5. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
6. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
7. The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
8. Night by Elie Wiesel
9. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
10. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
11. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
12. Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
13. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
14. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
15. Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen
16. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Barb writes, "A CLASSIC READ is a book that through the “test of time” never grows old. You may have read it in high school or in your youth. Try it again as an adult. You will see the book in a whole new light. You will get so much more out of it. All of the above are books that will capture and take you away to a great place. I highly recommend them all!"


Barb shares her favorite GO TO AUTHORS:



Barb's Favorite Go To Authors (again, in no special order):

1. Mary Kay Andrews:
2. Dorothea Benton Frank
3.  Chris Bojhalian
4.  David Baldacci
5.  Rosamunde Pilcher
6.  Nelson DeMille
7.  Anita Shreve
8.  Lisa See
9.  Jodi Piccoult
10. Richard Paul Evans
11. John Steinbeck
12. Sue Kidd Monk
13. Anne River Siddons
14. Ken Follett
15. Mauve Binchy
16. Mary Alice Monroe
17. Janet Evanovich
18. David Sedaris
19. Julia Glass
20. Joe Coomer
21. Abraham Verghese
22. Sally Gunning
23. Frank Delaney
24. Laura Hillenbrand
25. Philippa Gregory

Barb writes:
"Just about anything these authors have written, I have read.  I hope that you look online or at your library or nearest book store to find some great stories by the above authors.  Stretch yourself, and gather a few for the long winter that will be here before we know it. 
 I also have a long book list and if you would like it sent to you through email attachment (I have an apple computer) I would be happy to send it.  Email me at barbmcfaden@yahoo.com"

I want to thank Barb for sharing her love of reading and book lists with us! Thanks a ton Barb!
Happy reading, decorating, & living-
Megan