[JessieW]

I did enjoy what I read of Mary Called Magdalene and remember being very upset I had to return it without finishing (or the library was going to come hunt me down). I think I was on a post-Red Tent high though and maybe anxious to read more "biblical fiction."

Speaking of...do you know if anyone has written a biblical fiction thing about Esau? That's been floating around in my head as an idea for a novel. Which I would find time to write....sometime this century!!

[Sheba's Mom]

I haven't come across a biblical fiction about Esau but I am still fairly new to reading biblical fiction so it could be out there somewhere. Sounds like it could be something really interesting to read. Here's hoping you become inspired and decide to write it for us.

[Marseille]

"The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd
I took it from the Comfort Inn library and forgot to return it... oops.

"Freedomnomics" by John Lott

[weezle]

Laurie, I loved Honeymoon! But I like to have the buhjeebus scared out of me.

Abdul's son, Gene, just left my place to drive to California for another theatre tour, and he left me a book called The Keeper by Sarah Langan. I've never heard of her but he said that the book was " up" and that he doesn't like to read usually because he's a really slow reader, but he couldn't put this book down because it holds your attention throughout and then everything comes together and makes sense at the end.

I may start that one here tonight since I slept until almost 6 from a drug-induced coma and it feels like it should be 8 instead of 11.

[beachgal]

Wow, Jessie...I hear your pain about having to return something to the library. I had a book like that a while ago...I had to wait for another copy to become available so I could finish it. That was frustrating! I was way overdue with my last audio book, but I really wanted to finish it, so I just paid the fine. Hope you enjoy Mary Called Magdalene. I think it's on my list... Love the idea about Esau. We're reading the part of Genesis that includes Jacob and Esau's stories in my Bible study group. You should see how worked up we get about how messed up Rebekah is...what a jerk Jacob is...etc. It's one powerful story!

Sheba's Mom...I understand about finishing the pile first. But I have another recommendation for you...You might like Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult. The main character is a Search and Resue worker with a dog. They spend a lot of time talking about her work and using it as a metaphor for the story. It's a fantastic book and many parts of it are like a mystery, though it's really more of a novel.

Marseille, Secret Life is one of my favorite books! I hope you enjoy it! I've never heard of Freedomnomics, though...what's it about?

Weezle! I'm glad you liked it...I can see how it would be quite fun if you're into that sort of thing! I think I've heard of Langan... Let us know if you like the book! Hope you're feeling okay, hon!

I'm reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver (author of the Poisonwood Bible, etc...). It's good, but slow going so far. It's the story of how her family lived off of their own land or bought local produce/food for a year. I'm learning a lot, but I think my brain wants something lighter right now! I have a ton of books at home to read, so maybe I need to stop frequenting the library for a while...

[srmb60]

I just took a V C Andrews book on a long drive. Darkest Hour. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I haven't read any of hers since the Flowers in the Attic series.

[JessieW]

I am reading one light book after another lately. The latest:
Tight Squeeze by Debbie Digiovanni, Christian "momlit" about a mom pregnant with her 5th! It was cute.
Split Ends by Kristin Billerbeck--Christian chicklit, really good story, I read it in a matter of 2 days.
Right now I'm reading The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn, your basic chicklit, I am not a fan of the way she writes too much but I'm giving it a chance (I am doing this challenge over at Paperback swap to read new authors for all the letters A-Z in the year 2007--I think I am done with 19/26, getting to the weird letters now!!).

[beachgal]

Jessie, I love that you're doing that challenge...what a fun thing to do! Have you read Anna Quindlen (sp???)? She's fabulous.

Your chicklit sounds like so much fun! My book is good, but a little bit dry. However, I'm shocked to find that Kingsolver's daughter, 19yo Camille, is perhaps an even better writer than her mom! She contributed essays and recipes for the book and I actually enjoyed her part more than the rest I've read so far! Oh well...I still think Kingsolvers is an incredible author...

Susan, that sounds like so much fun! I was a huge V.C. Andrews fan when I was a kid. Is this book made more for adults or were you just enjoying YA fiction (which I do often!)? Many years ago I read an adult book written by the author of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret (her name is on the tip of my tongue...). I was suprised to find it really good!

[JessieW]

Judy Blume, Laurie. I know she's written several adult books but I haven't read any.

I have read several by Anna Quindlen, I really enjoy her, and since it's a new author challenge I couldn't use her for my Q! I finished The Ivy Chronicles yesterday...good riddance!!

[beachgal]

Thanks, Jessie! My poor brain doesn't store author's names very well!

Glad you finished the book...now on to R...a much easier letter! What are you thinking about?

Haven't made any progress in my book...my Curve magazine came in the mail and I got into that! I'm so bad at sticking with nonfiction...

[JessieW]

I actually haven't done the letters in order...Kris Radish was my "R" many moons ago. Here's my list. I put the ones I haven't read yet in red.
* A Deception by Randy Alcorn
* B Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd
* C A New Lu by Laura Castoro
o The Jade Peony by Wayson Choy
* D Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
* E Leonardo's Swans by Karen Essex
* F Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
* G Better by Atul Gawande
* H Plainsong by Kent Haruf
* I Scent to Her Grave by India Ink
* J The Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson
* K Just Beyond the Clouds by Karen Kingsbury
* L This Pen for Hire by Laura Levine
* M Hunger Point by Jillian Medoff
* N Reluctant Burglar by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
* O Astrid and Veronika by Linda Olsson
* P Julie & Julia by Julie Powell
* Q The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn
* R Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish
* S Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
* T The Sisterhood of the Dropped Stitches by Janet Tronstad
* U A Month of Sundays by John Updike
* V Hollywood by Gore Vidal
* W The Monk's Son by W.R. Wilkerson
* X Chinese Lives by Xinxin
* Y Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
* Z The Ladies' Paradise by Emile Zola

[femmecreole]

I'm reading A New Orleans Voudou Priestess: The Legend and Reality of Marie Laveau by Carolyn Long

A very interesting look at the life of Madame Laveau using historical documents. Lot of research went into it..not a "hollywood" portrayal of her like most books about her.

[beachgal]

Jessie, you just amaze me, as always, girl! Did you like the Jane Yolen? I'm always meaning to read her but forget. I can't remember if I read Birth of Venus or not. I can see the cover so vividly...did you like that one? Any of them spark an interest in a new author or genre? What a fun project!

Cat, I'm so intrigued by what you're reading! I absolutely love the song, Marie Laveau, but I never thought she really existed! Wow! What years did her life span?

Had my book club last night with Memory Keeper's Daughter. I think most of us really liked it, and we had a very lively discussion. One thing we debated a lot was whether or not Caroline was complicit in David's deceit. What do those of you who have read it think? (Okay to take it to PM so we don't "spoil" it for others... )

[JessieW]

Laurie, girl, you told me you loved Birth of Venus! It was 1/2 the reason I read it! LOL. I really, really liked the Jane Yolen book. I'm working on reading more in the Fairy Tale Series. I have an unhealthy obsession with fairy tale retellings that stems from my days in Children's Lit class!! I wrote my own retelling of the Cinderella story from the pumpkin's point of view...anyone know a children's publisher?? Hehe. It's been a year since I read Memory Keeper's Daughter so I'm afraid I no longer have intelligent things to say about it. Books fade fast when I keep trying to cram them into my head.

[kmac1196]

Can I jump in?? I'm an avid reader and read everything. Recently finished and in my top 10...Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Also read, the Kite Runner, Memory Keepers Daughter, The Keeper of the Light, Best Friends...oh there's more....Some of my favorites are Angela's Ashes, House of Sand and Fog, Malokai, of course all the Harry Potters are my favorite!!!!