Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Want a good read?

I want to share a few of my favorite books... just a few.
The list is much longer, but these were the first 'reads' that popped into my head.
I was inspired to share these by reading Lit Chicks blog each day (her site is listed under "Favorite Links" on the right side of my site).
A Thousand Splendid Suns is the book I'm currently reading. It takes place in Afghanistan and chronicles two generations of characters over a 30 year period. It is a sad story... yet I find myself applauding at the moments of love and peace. I'm enjoying each word... each page... each emotion.
Bittersweet is one of my old favorites. I first read it in 1992 and have reread it two times since then. The setting is China and the main character is a girl they call 'Bittersweet'. This is a story of her long and exemplary life. Raised to be a farmer's wife, her life takes interesting turns that lead her far beyond the farm. I don't want to spoil the story... it is a page turner.

The Red Tent is the story of Dinah, a daughter of Jacob. She's only hinted at in the Bible, but the author has built a wonderful, fascinating story of Dinah and the traditions and turmoil of ancient womanhood... the world of the red tent. I didn't want the book to end. I wasn't ready to leave the characters I'd grown to know so well.



Shooting The Boh is the true story of Tracy Johnston and a rafting expedition down Borneo's Boh river. There are swimming cobras and swarms of sweat-eating bees and a crisis at every bend of the river. She tells the story in an honest and funny voice. A great tale of an over 40 woman and a risky adventure. I have enjoyed it twice and am ready to read it again.
These are just the tip of my favorites list.
I read for enjoyment... books that don't want to be put down. I have stirred many dinners with a book in one hand... and frequently fallen asleep with a book on my chest.
I hope you'll share your favorites so we'll all have new titles to add to our 'Books To Read' lists.
~Joni




7 comments:

Wanda said...

Thanks! Looks like a good list for summer reading! I have a friend that suggested the Red Tent.

melanie said...

thanks for the plug - i appreciate your encouragement! glad you read & enjoyed A Thousand Splendid Suns.

mel

RachelDenbow said...

Well, SisTv is a scrap site similar to TwoPeas where you can show your work and see everyone else's. They can be found here:
http://www.scrapinstyletv.com/

I wasn't going to bother with it at first but now I love it. It seems faster and more user friendly to me than TwoPeas. Plus its fresh.

We're still trying to figure out a nick name for Sebastian. Its one of those where nothing shortened sounds manly or dignified. Friends have suggested 'bass' but I'm not sure I want to refer to my son as a fish. Maybe his high school football coach will come up with something!

Locket Pocket said...

Hi Joni - I've tried emailing you again - I sent one yesterday in reply to your email and have just resent it - let me know if you get it. Lucy

Angie said...

Hey there!

I had "The Red Tent" at one time, and I don't have it anymore. It may be in the church library. I've heard good things. I need to read it.

I have also heard about the first book you mentioned.

I have been in a reading "funk" lately. I need to read more. . . and you'd have thought with two weeks to recover from surgery I would have, but (sigh) no.

I did get a couple pages scrapped last night. . .and a few more rows done on the latest baby afghan. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get it done tonight, so I won't feel the pressure to keep crocheting! LOL

Helen said...

What a great idea! I delighted in reading your "reviews" LOL...I love to read but sadly not much time with two littlies! I am a big Pride and Prejudice lover so I just collected from the library "Pride and Prescience" and I am eager to read that now...determined in fact. Thanks for such an interesting blog Joni!

Beautiful said...

thank u for recommending these books, i have read a thousand splendid suns, i will be reading the kite runner soon .