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irisheyes		#1281	[-]
Posts: 8336 (12/29/2008 10:42 PM) We sleep walk in Hollywood Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I just finished two this week (audiobooks from iTunes, lest you think I'm a speed reader) - Black Swan Green by David Mitchell (loved it) and Sarah Vowell's new one The Wordy Shipmates. I love love love Sarah Vowell, but this one is chocked full of historical data, so I found myself sort of drifting off and having to re-listen to huge chunks. it's about the Puritan movement in America and the founding of New England - basically, a history of 16th century Christianity. really interesting, but I kept getting confused with all the names and factions of the church separatists. anyway, I still recommend it even though it's not my favorite of her books. Black Swan Green was just a good easy read - told from the perspective of a 13 year old boy in England in the 80s. you may have already read it since it seems to be on a lot of English class lists. "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." - Rudyard Kipling "While I gave up God a long time ago, I never shook the habit of wanting to believe in something. So I replaced my creed of everlasting life with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." - Sarah Vowell
mayerniac		#1282	[-]
Posts: 167 (12/30/2008 1:17 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I agree -- WAIT until the end to see the movie. I wish I'd picked it up BEFORE the movie came out because the image of Rob Pattinson kinda ruined my idea of what I thought Edward would be like. God bless music, because not only can it save you when you're writing it, but it can save you when you're listening to it. -- jm.
allilm		#1283	[-]
Posts: 2075 (12/30/2008 10:24 AM) Your mouth was, so dirty... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Wow you guys are some serious readers. I try to fit in a proper book (ie. The Kite Runner) every once in awhile, but I have to have my fluff too. Goodreads.com is one of my favorite websites now. I love how my friends and I can recommend books and get an idea of whether we'll like something based on how our friends liked a book. I listen to a lot of audiobooks while at work. So far this year I've listened to 35 audiobooks (most from the library) and only actually read 13 books. I'm hoping to get those totals a little closer to even in 2009. Still 13 read books is a big deal for me since I'm not a natural reader. On the other hand, my 2nd grader is at about a 7th grade reading level (she gets it from her dad) and is breezing through chapter books right now. Any recomendations for the seven-year-old who reads as well as the average middle schooler? It's been difficult to find things challenging, interesting for her and still appropriate for her. For fluff I recommend "Frenemies" by Megan Crane. - Allison _____________________________ Check out Will Hoge: A mix of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and the Counting Crows. www.willhoge.com
Esmter		#1284	[-]
Posts: 10670 (12/30/2008 11:08 AM) We sleep walk in Hollywood Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	i ripped through all the Black Stallion series in the second grade - i think they're a 5th grade level, and entirely appropriate. -Em
jemash		#1285	[-]
Posts: 58 (12/30/2008 11:27 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Ha. I'm totally sucked into Twilight as well - having been bought all four books for Xmas. I'm starting an Engligh degree in February, my second degree, so am enjoying the 'light' reading before the hardcore literature begins. Other than that, I've just finished reading 'The Post-Birthday World' by Lionel Shriver (same author of 'We Need To Talk About Kevin') - it's a Sliding Doors-esque tale where the narrative of the story splits in two after an encounter and you follow each choice. It's essentially about the trade-offs of love - what if every romantic prospect is flawed? Before that, I finally managed to read 'A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius' by Dave Eggers and could hardly let it fall from my hands for two days. After my Twilight foray I've got 'The Glass Palace' by Amitav Ghosh. I'm in a Japanese colonial fiction/non-fiction phase at the moment. I love this time of year for reading, it's always a great time to rummage around charity shops (I rarely buy books new) and take advantage of everyone's January spring cleans.
allilm		#1286	[-]
Posts: 2075 (12/30/2008 11:50 AM) Your mouth was, so dirty... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I found this list on goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/...e_books_from_my_childhood, looks like a good place for her to start. I didn't read for pleasure when I was her age, so I've had to ask all you folks who have been avid readers since you were kids. Thanks! - Allison _____________________________ Check out Will Hoge: A mix of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and the Counting Crows. www.willhoge.com
jadedihateit		#1287	[-]
Posts: 5351 (12/30/2008 12:03 PM) Your mouth was, so dirty... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I've been rereading the Chronicles of Narnia. I think I read them for the first time when I was about 12, so if she really is at a 7th grade reading level she would enjoy them. They are chock full of Christian symbolism but whether you are religious or not, they have a lot of good lessons in them.
NUKristin		#1288	[-]
Posts: 7649 (12/30/2008 12:50 PM) WAHCISM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	allison- I was like your daughter and to be honest, even though I could whiz right through them, I still loved the Boxcar Children books. LOVED them. I am sure she is already reading Nancy Drew and Babysitter club books (I am assuming you can still find these books, haha), but those were the ones I loved as well. Also I remember Island of the Blue Dolphins being a favorite along with all the Ramona books! And something else I got really into around that age were logic problems. As a kid, I did the problems with the grids (you can find them at a bookstore) and loved them. They are challenging without being impossible at that age...and they helped me when I took the LSAT! Keep her reading, my parents always encouraged me to read and I honestly couldn't tell you how many hundreds of books I must have read by now! \
allilm		#1289	[-]
Posts: 2075 (12/30/2008 2:09 PM) Your mouth was, so dirty... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	As someone who struggeled with reading most of her life (I've always been a slow reader and had difficulty focusing) I am all about encouraging her to read. We've been snuggling in bed at night, her reading her book and me reading my book. I think I'm going to set up a goodreads account for her, so I can keep up with all these great suggestions. - Allison _____________________________ Check out Will Hoge: A mix of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and the Counting Crows. www.willhoge.com
Esmter		#1290	[-]
Posts: 10670 (12/30/2008 2:29 PM) We sleep walk in Hollywood Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	i loved those logic problems. i still do them when i'm stuck in an airport. -Em
NUKristin		#1291	[-]
Posts: 7649 (12/30/2008 2:38 PM) WAHCISM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I sometimes do the online one when I get bored at work! Lame, but they can easily keep me entertained! \
JessRose24		#1292	[-]
Posts: 2810 (12/30/2008 3:02 PM) Your mouth was, so dirty... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	AlliM, I was the same way as a kid: my mother was appalled when my 4th grade teacher recommended I read Gone With the Wind, and again in 7th grade when a teacher recommended I read Cold Mountin. It's hard to find appropriate content that is challenging, that's for sure. I loved all the Beverly Cleary books. Mildred D. Taylor's Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry (and the other two in the trilogy) I read in 3rd grade- they're wonderful. Nancy Drew was a favorite in my house. I really liked the follow-ups to Little House on the Prairie books: it's about Laura Ingalls Wilder's daughter, Rose, by Roger Lea McBride: Little House on Rocky Ridge, is the first in the series. Sharon Creech's Walk Two Moons is STILL one of my favorite books. I read it in 3rd or 4th grade, I think and then made my parents read it, and then made my teacher read it aloud to the class. And now this is happening.
rayro211		#1293	[-]
Posts: 862 (12/30/2008 4:01 PM) I am on my best behavior... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Roald Dahl books are always winners, too. I read "Matilda" every year growing up! Matilda, The BFG, The Witches, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory... all so good!
mayerniac		#1294	[-]
Posts: 167 (12/30/2008 9:43 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	When I was in middle school I was alllll about Judy Blume. ITry "Are you there God? Its me Margaret", and a few others. It'll be an easy find. God bless music, because not only can it save you when you're writing it, but it can save you when you're listening to it. -- jm.
allilm		#1295	[-]
Posts: 2075 (12/31/2008 11:50 AM) Your mouth was, so dirty... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thanks guys! I've added a ton of this stuff to her new goodreads.com account. She's got 40 books in her to-read shelf now. My problem with books and the library, is that I always check out way more than I have time to read, before they're due back. Sometimes I can renew online, but I wish my library had some kind of wishlist capability on their website so I could keep a list there and then click only couple at a time to check out. Happy New Year! Alli - Allison _____________________________ Check out Will Hoge: A mix of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and the Counting Crows. www.willhoge.com
you tire me		#1296	[-]
Posts: 677 (12/31/2008 12:00 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	"Silas Marner" by George Eliot.
ABnormal.jjb	Sarah Vowell	#1297	[-]
Posts: 117 (12/31/2008 12:26 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Last Edited By: ABnormal 12/31/2008 12:28 PM. Edited 1 times.
ABnormal.jjb	Sarah Vowell	#1298	[-]
Posts: 117 (12/31/2008 12:28 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	irisheyes wrote: I just finished two this week (audiobooks from iTunes, lest you think I'm a speed reader) - Black Swan Green by David Mitchell (loved it) and Sarah Vowell's new one The Wordy Shipmates. I love love love Sarah Vowell, but this one is chocked full of historical data, so I found myself sort of drifting off and having to re-listen to huge chunks. it's about the Puritan movement in America and the founding of New England - basically, a history of 16th century Christianity. really interesting, but I kept getting confused with all the names and factions of the church separatists. anyway, I still recommend it even though it's not my favorite of her books. This is my first posting on the "other side of the board," but I had to ask--I received the Sarah Vowell book as gift and wonder if it would be better to return for the audio version. I have always listened to her and David Sedaris rather than read them (and when I try to, it falls flat). BUT, your comment about all the historical stuff makes me pause... any thoughts? Happy New Year! Liza
NUKristin		#1299	[-]
Posts: 7649 (12/31/2008 1:49 PM) WAHCISM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	yay goodreads.com \ Last Edited By: NUKristin 12/31/2008 4:06 PM. Edited 1 times.
irisheyes		#1300	[-]
Posts: 8336 (12/31/2008 3:31 PM) We sleep walk in Hollywood Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	with David Sedaris, I prefer hearing him read hands-down. something about his delivery. but I've read all of his books in addition to listening to the audiobooks and they're still hilarious. as for Sarah, if her voice doesn't bother you (I know this is an issue for a lot of people) I would do the audiobook. this is definitely one I don't think I could have gotten through if I'd had to read it. it's pretty dense material, so I think it would be easier to follow the audiobook. but I really enjoyed reading her previous books - this was my first "listen" of her work. Kristin I am on Goodreads - I'll add you! "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." - Rudyard Kipling "While I gave up God a long time ago, I never shook the habit of wanting to believe in something. So I replaced my creed of everlasting life with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." - Sarah Vowell

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