It's time for the monthly Nightstand carnival at 5 Minutes for Books.

Here are a few books I completed recently:

The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar: I read this thanks to Carrie's recommendation, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Fascinating historical fiction--highly recommend it.

Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses: Since finding solutions for health issues through my diet, my interest in how food affects our bodies has grown. This book was interesting and practical. After reading it, I am convinced that some neurological issues I had in my 20's were related to B12 deficiency, and I am currently taking B12 sublingually to get my numbers higher.

Shakespeare's Lady is another interesting historical fiction title. I'll be reviewing this book at 5M4B soon.

In my pile:

Sarah's Key: I'm probably one of the few who hasn't read this. I've had this on my list for quite a while, and I am finally getting to it.

The Mood Cure: Another nutritionally related book that I am looking forward to reading.

All That I Am: After reading the 5M4B review, I am looking forward to this novel.

Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting: Saw this mentioned on Facebook. Although I generally try to get my parenting wisdom from the Bible and books that are true to its teachings, this title caught my attention, and I am looking forward to reading it.

To see what others are reading, head over to 5 Minutes for Books today!

Labels: Books

I'm taking a break from my December posts to show you what's currently on my nightstand.

Right now, I am reading Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey's new book, Chasing Mona Lisa. It's fast-paced Christian fiction set at the end of the German occupation of Paris during World War II. With all the Christmas festivities, I'm having to read this in bits and pieces, but I am enjoying it and look forward to finishing it in the next few days.

Up next is All the Flowers in Shanghai, which is set in China in the 1930's. I have read a few books about China in the last year, and the historical context of this novel fascinates me.

Beyond Molasses Creek is the third book in my pile. It is the contemporary story of a flight attendant who returns home to bury her father and face her past. I'm looking forward to it as well.

I will review all of these books at 5 Minutes for Books in the near future. Be sure to click over there today to see what others are reading!

Labels: Books

I am a one book at a time kind of girl. Sometimes, I may have a nonfiction and fiction going at the same time, but not often. I don't know why, perhaps because my brain is going in many directions at the moment, but I am reading four books at once. Here's a glimpse at what's in my current reading pile.

Outdoor Parents Outdoor Kids: A Guide to Getting Your Kids Active in the Great Outdoors is my next book for Kirkus Reviews. As I type, my kids are playing outside with all the neighborhood kids, but we have room for improvement when it comes to exploring the great outdoors. I am looking forward to the suggestions in this practical guide.

We're Not Leaving: 9/11 Responders Tell Their Stories of Courage, Sacrifice, and Renewal is a raw and touching collection of stories from the first responders of 9/11. I will be reviewing this at 5M4B soon. It's difficult to believe it's been almost ten years since the terrorist attacks.

Fairer than Morning is a new historical fiction title from Thomas Nelson. I haven't gotten very far into it, but I am excited to read this story because the author worships with my brother and his family. My sister-in-law had mentioned the book to me, so I was excited when it was sent to me for review.

Leaving is one of the books in the Bailey Flanigan series by Karen Kingsbury. This series piggybacks on three other series by the same author. One one hand, I enjoy feeling like I am keeping up with old friends. On the other hand, the books follow a typical pattern. I feel like things are being drawn out just to make more books. It's become like watching a train wreck; I'm having a difficult time walking away.

If you would like to find out what others are reading, be sure to visit the Nightstand carnival today!

Labels: Books

Labels: Books, disney

I haven't blogged in two weeks. I've had plenty to blog about, but not much time (or motivation) to get it done. This post is to let you know that I am still here and to let you know that I have books on my nightstand. (I am sure the grandparents would rather see pictures of their grandkids. Sorry.)

I am currently reading Stuck in the Middle . It was free for the Nook, so I grabbed it. It's okay, but nothing fabulous.

Coming Up:

The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar: I am excited about this one. It's different than from my recent reads; I hope it will be a story that really pulls me in.

Dancing on Glass: A Novel by Pamela Ewen: This is an advance copy for review. The cover is beautiful, so I hope the story will be as well.

Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexander: This is a library book for my Nook. I read the first book in this series, and I enjoyed it, so I hope this one will be as enjoyable.

The Complete Walt Disney World 2011 by Julie Neal: Yes, I can't get enough of WDW. No matter how many times I visit, I can go again. No matter how many books I read about it, I am ready for another.

I really have more books, but those are next in line. Head over the 5 Minutes for Books to see what others are reading!

Labels: Books

I haven't posted in a week, mostly because I was busy with day-to-day things as well as cleaning and cooking for company to come over on Thursday and Saturday evenings. Additionally, my Favorite Boy's basketball tournament is keeping us busy, and I am making final preparations for my half-marathon trip this weekend. With flu, strep, and a stomach bug making their rounds in our area, I am praying that the germs stay away until next Monday!!!! After I've trained for so long, I don't want to do a 13.1 mile race feeling badly, and I also don't want to leave my husband with sick kids. Maybe we should just lock ourselves in the closet until Friday morning.

It's time for the monthly Nightstand carnival at 5 Minutes for Books. From my list last month, I completed Another Dawn by Kathryn Cushman (review coming soon at 5M4B), Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock (review HERE), and The Maker's Diet by Jordan Rubin. I read a few others as well, and I need to update my reading list in the sidebar. I am still working on Parenting by The Book by John Rosemond and Logged On and Tuned Out by Vicki Courtney, and I am adding the following books to my pile:

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Fade to Blue by Julie Carobini
Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gloria Gottschall

I am excited to take my new Nook with me to Disney this weekend. I have Unbroken on it, so I will enjoy trying it out at the airport and during down time. I also got a free copy of the Bible, so I can have a Bible handy without taking up a lot of space in my suitcase.

I may post sporadically (if at all) for the rest of the week, but I'll have lots to say next week!

Labels: Books

It's time for the monthly Nightstand carnival at 5 Minutes for Books. My reading has slowed down over the last few months, but I am hoping to pick up the pace in the coming weeks. These books are in my current pile:

Parenting by The Book by John Rosemond
Another Dawn by Kathryn Cushman
Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock
Logged On and Tuned Out by Vicki Courtney
The Maker's Diet by Jordan Rubin

I hope to finish all of these by the next carnival. To see the lists of others, be sure to visit 5 Minutes for Books today!

Labels: Books

It's time for the monthly Nightstand carnival at 5 Minutes for Books. I haven't had time to make a post about the books that are currently on my Nightstand, but I did want to direct your attention to a recent post I wrote at 5M4B: My Year in Books. It includes some books that I read in 2010, and I highly recommend them. I also posted about City of Tranquil Light, a historical fiction book that I really enjoyed. I hope you'll hop over there and read about these books!

Stay tuned for Christmas posts...I am working on them!

Labels: Books

Whew! I thought that once both my kids were in school that I would have all kinds of time for blogging. I guess I was wrong! This week is the huge fundraiser at school, and I have been at the school helping out quite a bit. Perhaps I'll get back to blogging next week. And, I guess I will have to try to figure out what's wrong with my template as well.

Until then, here's a brief look at my Nightstand:

Chosen by Chandra Hoffman

The Confirmation by Ralph Reed

The Maker's Diet by Jordin Rubin

The Scarlet Letter (Readable Classics)

Take Four by Karen Kingsbury

To find out what other books are popular right now, be sure to visit 5 Minutes for Books today!

Labels: Books

It's time for the quarterly Classics Bookclub at 5 Minutes for Books. At this point in the year, I am really glad I read several books in the first quarter because I didn't read any classics in the third quarter!

This was my original list for the year:

Jane Eyre (Readable Classics)
Little Women
To Kill a Mockingbird
Gone with the Wind
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

So far this year, I've finished Jane Eyre, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (I LOVE this book), and Little Women. I plan to meet my goal of five classics for the year, but I am going to adjust my list slightly by removing Gone with the Wind and replacing it with the Readable Classics version of The Scarlet Letter. I have this book ready to read. I plan to reread To Kill a Mockingbird as well (I read this book in high school).

I have been a slacker the last few months, but I know I can meet my goal by the end of the year. To find out how others are doing with the Classics Challenge, be sure to visit 5 Minutes for Books!

Labels: Books

I'm running a little behind with my monthly Nightstand post, so here's a brief summary of the books in my pile.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix : My Favorite Boy and I are reading the series together. He lost interest for a little while, but he's wanting to start again. I am reading ahead of him, and I am about halfway through this book. It's fun to read them together!

Maker's Diet: Because of my new interest in food and nutrition, a friend recommended this book to me. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Between Two Worlds: This book has been in my pile for a while, and I finally started it this morning. It's about a journalist who was held in a prison in Iran, and it's fascinating so far. More to come in a review soon!

The Lovely Bones: This book has also been in my pile for a while. I will read it this month!

The Scarlet Letter: The Classics Bookclub is quickly approaching. I really want to participate, so I am going to start the readable classics version of The Scarlet Letter this week. I read the original in high school, so I am excited to read this.

That's my pile! Be sure to visit 5 Minutes for Books to find other book suggestions.

Labels: Books