Book Geek Bi-Monthly Review

The only nice part about being laid up is that I've been able to catch up on my books and I've read some incredible novels and one great autobiography.

• The Language of Flowers, Vanessa Diffenbaugh - 2 thumbs up

This book is the story of a woman growing up in the foster system - both touching and tough.  Super easy read and absolutely LOVED IT!!!

• State of Wonder, Ann Patchett - 1 3/4 thumbs up

In her newest novel, State of Wonder, she writes the story of an ordinary woman who finds herself in the heart of the Amazon searching for answers surrounding the mysterious death of a colleague.  LOVED this book too, but it took me about 50 pages or so to get into the story.

State of Winder by Ann Patchett

• Wild, Cheryl Strayed - 2 thumbs up

Fantastic, true story about a woman's hike and along the Pacific Crest Trail.  I could not put this book down - totally amazing story.  This book is also on Oprah's newest Book Club pick.

• The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho - 2 thumbs up

This book is one of my top 10 books of all time.  This is the simple story of a man following his heart and living his dreams but the message is profound and moving even the second time around. 

• 11/22/63, Stephen King - no rating yet

This book is HUGE and I'm not through with it yet - but so far I LOVE IT.  A man goes back in time to try and prevent the assassination of JFK.  I never thought I'd read another Stephen King book again - but I'm glad I picked this one up.

I've spent close to a week reading in bed.

In case you missed it, here's my August and September Bi-Monthly Book Review.

You know how much my Grandma's dishes mean to me, well I broke one of her 60 year old bowls last month and I was heartbroken.  Today, I loaded the car, drove 5 miles on a hilly gravel road and suddenly Greta reminded me that I put my Grandma's coffee cup on the roof of the family mini-van.  I pulled over, and through some miracle my Grandma's cup survived the trip.  What a bloody miracle.

My Grandma's cup went for a ride this morning on the roof of the car - and survived!

What book are you reading?  Once I finish 11/22/63 I'm going to need a good book - I'm on a roll!

Thanks for reading,

Kristin

Book Geek

For some reason, I've been in a non-fiction rut since my last book blog .  Keep reading and you will find my quick and dirty reviews:

• Eat and Run by Scott Jurek - 2 THUMBS UP - loved this book

             Autobiography - very inspirational book about an ultra marathoner and vegan

Eat and Run, Scott Jurek

• Born to Run by Christopher McDougall - 1 3/4 THUMBS UP

          True story about a group of runners in the canyons of Mexico - interesting read!

Born to Run

• The Way I See It by Temple Grandin - 1 THUMBS UP

           Interesting read about Temple's view of the world living with Aspberger's

Me with Temple Grandin this summer

• Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx - 2 THUMBS WAY UP

          Awesome read about Nikki Sixx's road to recovery. I've read it twice :)




Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx

• Food Rules, Micheal Pollan - 1 1/2 thumbs up

Food Rules, Micheal Pollan

This line from his book sums it up:  Eat food.  Not too much.  Mostly plants.
Thanks to my cousin Erinn for sending me this great book!

I'm smack dab in the middle of State of Wonder by Ann Patchet and I'm really enjoying it.  Ann wrote Bel Canto which happens to be on my top 10 books of all times.

Just off the top of my head, I would classify these as my top non-fiction books:

• Bel Canto, Ann Patchet
• Mudbound, Hillary Jordan
• Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
• Roots, Alex Haley
• Dovekeeper, Alice Hoffman
• A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, Betty Smith

What's your favorite non-fiction book?

We're having such an awesome week.  Graham scored a couple of touchdowns in his football game, Greta was asked to represent her class in the homecoming float and my little Gus is happy to be back in school.  To celebrate we've been working hard to pull off a little Mexican Dance Party scheduled for Saturday night. 

Check out my harvest - this for sure is the last big harvest.  Check out the purple and gold cauliflower (thanks Kerry!).

Check out Thursdays harvest - wowser!

Have a great weekend,

Kristin