Okay, now that Christmas is definitely over and put away, Claire's birthday has passed and been scrapbooked (is that even a word?), Chelsea is back up at Auburn doing her thing, Kate's back in high school...counting the days, I have a new year to ponder and plan!
I love to start a new project, plan an event, map out a trip...
I have a couple of plans for my blog for 2011!! My first and by far best plan is that I am going to have guest bloggers for you my faithful readers. I am really excited about this and hope that you will enjoy the thoughts and encouragement of these special women that will be blogging during this coming year. Next week I will be featuring my first guest blogger so be sure to check back after the 25th for a fresh word from a wonderful woman!
My other plan for my blog this year is to do some sort of a challenge...one that might challenge you! I love to read. As a child I loved books. I can remember bringing home books from the school library to read aloud for practice. I remember my fourth grade teacher reading to us on Friday afternoons. I remember loving Nancy Drew books and for Christmas each year I would get a couple of new ones. I can remember the summer before my 15th birthday. I was spending a month in Florida with my family and I snuck the book Gone With the Wind out of my grandmother's house to take with me on vacation. It was an old hardback edition she bought when the novel first came out. The dust jacket was gone and the pages were yellowed and rather fragile. I spent many hours of my vacation absorbing the fascinating life of the south (I am from northern West Virginia...yes it's below the Mason Dixon...but no it's not southern). From that time on I always had a book going...
I still love to read but have let this wonderful ritual get away from me.
In 2011 I am challenging myself to read more...so here it is,
11 in 11
Here is how it's going to work for me. Starting in February I am going to read one book a month from my list...and here is my list:
February: A classic...A Tale of Two Cities
March: A series (now some series have 3, 5, 7 books...my goal is to start the series and then eventually finish the series, but not necessarily in March)...
The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland
Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe by Sandra Gulland
The Last Great Dance On Earth by Sandra Gulland
April: The New Testament of the Bible (I will actually start this in March on Ash Wednesday and finish by Easter Sunday)
May: Historical Fiction
June: Chick Lit/ beach read
July: A memoir or biography
August: Science Fiction (this is gonna be a real stretch for me.....: ( So if you have any stellar ideas...
September: A young adult novel...maybe a new one or maybe I will cave and read Harry Potter...finally (Ok Kate...I'll read Harry Potter)
October: Nonfiction...The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
November: My husband's favorite author...Richard Russo...
That Old Cape Magic
December: A top ten book from the New York Times best seller list
Each month I will keep you updated on my progress...you will be my accountability group! Now my challenge to you is to come up with your own 11 in 11 list and share it with me and the other blog readers. It will be a book club without the get together and the food and all of the side conversations...but it will be interesting to see what all of you like to read.
As a tease...the first five people to send me their 11 in 11 list will get a copy of a great book (no I am not going to tell you what it is). I wish you a Happy New Year of reading some great books!
I don't have my 11 in 11 list yet but am loving the idea. I definitely have a book for your historical fiction selection. I finally got to read The Help in December and went on Amazon to see what their similar recommendations were. One of the books they suggested was Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. It came out in 2007 so you may have already read it, but it's about the round up of Parisian Jews in the summer of 1942 as told from two experiences-one of the children arrested and an American journalist researching the event for its 60th anniversary. Not finished with it yet, but am really enjoying it. Off to work on my reading list for 2011!
ReplyDeleteI almost started a book last night - have not picked up a book since my last vacation. I am up for the challenge. I will start with Am I Old Yet?- a friend encouraged me to read this ages ago and I am ready.It is a true story of timeless friendship.
ReplyDeleteMarch- Grace in Thine Eyes- the forth book in Liz Curtis Higgs series- I devoured the first 3 years ago- I may have to read them again.
April- Another book by Adrianna Trigiani- I read Brava, Valentine on a plane trip and found myself laughing out loud.
May- Bookends by Jane Green-
June- The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews- I usally enjoy her southern humor
July- Any book by David Baldacci- I have a few that need to be read
August- Gift from the Sea - Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Sept- My Losing Season- a memoir from Pat Conroy
Oct- The Red Tent- have it and need to read it
Nov- The Help- I will read it before I see the movie
December-One from Francine Rivers- maybe start a series---- Cindy Shipman
Interesting idea! I loved The Help and Sarah's Key....and one of my other recent favorites was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society...that might not be the exact name; I gave it to my daughter; but it's close.
ReplyDeleteI recently tried to read A Tale of Two Cities and I really give anyone who can get through it a lot of credit! I just think life is too short now to slog through that!
“When your mind is full of indecision, try thinking with your heart.”
ReplyDeleteWhat a heart felt challenge! Here are my choices:
February: The Tipping Point - Malcolm Gladwell - Bought in Atlanta Airport in Dec. and have been planning to read it! -It’s about time!
March: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - According to The Guardian (U.K.) “Characters step from the past radiant with eccentricity and kindly humor.
April: Without Reservation - Alice Steinbach - The Travels of An Independent Woman ( Also Marianne Williamson “Illuminated Prayers - Easter Reading)
May: Letter to My Daughter - Maya Angelou - in celebration of my daughter graduating from Medical School (Hope to me inspired to write a book to my children).
June: Gift From the Sea - Anne Morrow Lindbergh - many minds think alike - saw that Anonymous plans to read this too.
July: An Artist Way of Seeing - Mary Whyte -look forward to learning about her lessons in art and life)
August: Girlfriends - Invisible Bonds - Berry and Traeder - maybe a good book to gift to sister/friends)
September - Far From the Tree - DeBerry and Grant - Two sisters that could not be more different - sounds familiar!
October - The Flower of Youth - Roy Rolfe Gilson - Inside cover reads" given to Bell on her birthday from Albert 1905"
November - A memoir or biography of a famous woman
December - The Art of Travel - Alain de Botton - May it expand my sense of wonder!
Wow, this was a little harder than I thought (maybe the narrowing down part of it) and I hope more give their lists so we can see all these great recommendations! Some of these are books I've wanted to read for a long time or started and didn't finish for one reason or another. I've got a good helping of the historical fiction genre, but I love it! Not sure if I'll stick to this order, but I like having my "books I want to read for the fun of it" list in hand so early in the year! Here's what I've got for 2011:
ReplyDeleteFebruary: Beach Music by Pat Conroy
March: The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan
April: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jaime Ford
May: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
June: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
July: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott...how have I never read this?
August: Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool (2010 Newbery winner so I thought this was fitting for back to school)
September: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
October: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg (need me some southern lit, but would also recommend Rebecca Wells' The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder)!
November: Death by Suburb by Dave Goetz
December: Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Resilience & Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
Thanks Kim for this fun challenge. As I was reading this afternoon, I was thinking that I needed to rack your brain for some good books and here's a whole post about them! Love it!
Ladies thanks for your speedy comments and completed reading lists...wow!!
ReplyDeleteCindy I love Adrianna Trigianni and Valentine was a fun book to read. David Baldacci writes those great page-turners and I haven't read one of his in years...but the one book you must read and will enjoy so much is The Help...the movie will not do it justice!!
Amy I am so impressed with your list...I guess I am factoring in a new baby in April : ) Redeeming Love is one of my all time favorite books...I will reread it someday! I bought Fried Green Tomatoes a couple of months ago...maybe I should change one of my categories to novel made into a movie!!! And Rich got Unbroken for Christmas from Nicole...sounds like a really good book!
I think anonymous is Peggy (hope I am right)! I have read The Outliers and am currently reading What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell. I will read Tipping Point and we can compare notes!! What tipped me off that this is you...you have always loved Maya Angelou...well, also your choices seem to reflect strong women : )
Barbara~ hello I am not certain we know each other so thank you for sharing! I agree with you that life is short...so why a book like a Tale of Two Cities? Well stay tuned cause I will reveal in February when I begin that journey...long as it may be ;) I hope you enjoy The Help, it is a really good! I do need a bit more info about you so I can send you a book...look forward to hearing back from you.
Redeeming Love is also one of my all time favorites!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim. I'm Nancy, a friend of Sharon's. :)
Love the idea, Kim, and I would definitely be on board if I weren't constantly chasing down a 2-year-old to put her on the potty or feeding a growing 2-month-old every few hours! Maybe 2012!?! ;)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like fun, Kim! Great idea! You know how much I love to read and hear your recommendations. :) Here's my list.
ReplyDeleteFeb: Island of Saints by Andy Andrews
March: a David Baldacci book
April: Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado
May: Decision Points by George W. Bush ( I just finished reading Spoken from the Heart by Laura Bush and loved it!)
June: In the Company of Others by Jan Karon
July: some kind of "beach trash"
August: The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax
September: A Mother's Love by Francine Rivers ( I love Francine Rivers!)
October: A Tale of Two Cities I read this in the 8th grade and really liked it. I thought I'd read it again.
November: Anne of Green Gables
December: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Somewhere in there I want to read some Karen Kingsbury books. I love her books and they are so quick and easy to read! Can't wait to curl up on my sofa by the fire and get started!
Yes, Kim you are right that is Peggy. Please let your daughters know when i think of strong women they cross my mind. Will speak later about how to get a name. Am new to this.
ReplyDeleteToday I picked up The Help - am thinking of selecting this for famous women. Two Birmingham friends directed me towards this book, saying this is must for anyone who had a beloved maid in their younger years. Anna-Bea was my mother substitute during my formative years. For five years my mother spent much of her time tending to my father who passed away when i was 10. Thinking with my heart tells me many women like Anna-Bea should go down in history and write their memoirs. My goodness, I just read closer in your blog to Barbara and that is on her list. it is a small world!
Amy and Kim, just read Fried Green Tomatoes in March of last year. Great book.
ReplyDeleteMy list in no particular month order:
1. Currently: Beth Moore, So long Insecurity
2. Francine Rivers- any one. (Read Redeeming Love in high school and have not wanted to read one so heavy since...maybe I'll start again)
3. Janet Evanovich USUALLY has a new release each year
4. A Father Tom novel by Jan Karon...love them
5. George Bush's autobiography ( My mother in law is passing it to me next. Saw him on Oprah and HAD to read it.)
6. Re-read one of my book series (Erich is constantly telling me to get rid of books I'll never read again and I always have the best intentions of rereading, but never do.)
7. Miss Julia Delivers The Goods- Ann B. Ross (Read all of hers so far)
8. God's Guest List- Debbie Macober (Read her first fiction and it is a MUST read.
9. Bringing up Boys- James Dobson
10. Hopefully Nicholas Sparks will have a new book out this year
11. Debbie Macomber Christmas book- love them
On another note, Erich wants me to get a kindle to replace all of the space my books are taking up on the "book"shelf. I just can't do it. I love the pretty covers and feeling the pages turn!
Feeling a bit strange about participating in this all girl blogfest (no he didn't use that word), my sweet husband began pulling books from the shelf last night and has his 11 in 11 stack. So he agreed to let me post his list too ;)
ReplyDeleteIn no particular order:
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
Wish You Well by David Baldacci
Radical by David Platt
Dawn by Elie Weisel
Day by Elie Weisel (He has read Night)
It Happened In Florida by E Lynne Wright
Love & War by John and Stasi Eldredge
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Forgotten God by Francis Chan
Always Looking Up by Michael J. Fox
Quest by Wilbur Smith
Thanks all of you for posting...I love it :)
ReplyDeleteRenee, I totally get it and will give you a pass on this. When Chelsea and Katelyn were little I was doing soooo much to keep up with them at home and Nicole coming in from school and activities that reading anything more than storybooks and book reports was not high on the list!!
Julie and Morgan: I listened to Decision Points driving to and from Birmingham and Auburn. It was a great book and I loved that George W. read it himself. I kept thinking while listening... Who would want this job...we need to be praying for our president (in earnest) every morning before our feet hit the floor...
And Morgan I listened to James Dobson on the radio back in the day...he hadn't yet written Bringing Up Boys or Bringing Up Girls. I am feeling old ;)
Kim,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! It might take me a couple of days to come up with my list (I had three major abdominal surgeries in December :(, but I'm coming along slowly but surely.
I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and loved it. I also loved The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (didn't see the movie). I also love Jodi Picoult; Plain Truth and My Sister's Keeper (didn't see that movie, either) are my favorites so far. I also really loved the Harry Potter books:) and Jan Karon, too. Little Women was my favorite book as a child. I could go on and on, but I have to get started on my list:) Thanks so much for the great idea!
Okay, so here's my list. Being a first year AP English teacher some of my reading will be "school-ish."
ReplyDelete1. Currently reading The Passage by Cronin. End of the world, survival, vampires...right up my alley.
2. The Clearing by Anne Riley--My friend is self-publishing her first Young Adult novel on the Kindle in March and I can't wait to read it. I've read chapters from the early drafts and I'm telling you she is going to be big! You can order a paperback from her at www.annerileybooks.com
3. The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene--I'm teaching it in March so I should probably read it...
4. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Hosseini--I read the Kite Runner and loved it and my students made me promise to read this one so we could talk about it.
5. A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens. It's time for a reread and all the cool kids are doing it :)
6. Mini-shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. Really fun, like eating a jar of frosting.
7. Something Russian. Proabably Crime and Punishment. If I don't read something Russian soon, they might revoke my English nerd card.
8. Bringing up Girls by Dobson.
9. 1984 by Orwell. Another one they will probably penalize me for if I don't read it soon.
10. The Harry Potter series. I read them so fast I remember nothing about them other than they were great. Probably beginning the reread after the final movie comes out.
11. Life Together by Bonhoeffer. David says this book shapes the way he views church and ministry.
12. (Bonus Book-I'll see your 11 and raise you one) Water for Elephants. Looks great and I've heard great things.
Have fun reading!
Peggy says...Read quite a number of quilt magazines today. February is not here yet so thought I would fill my time with other reading activities. While walking at the park this lovely afternoon- haiku mind - 108 Poems to Cultivate Awareness & Open Your Heart came to mind. Very interesting haiku book - the author gives her description of the meaning and the history of the poet. Inspired to take this book to a park or beach one day and maybe in the future write my own. Goal - appreciate the little things around us and take a moment to reflect on our lives...Hope to see people at Books Alive the weekend of Feb.5th. Tony Simmons will moderate a discussion on censorship - some of the panel members will include central characters in the banning controversy 25 years ago. “Be courageous. It’s one of the only places left uncrowded." ~ Anita Roddick
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm really late to this party! So here in no particular order are my 11 books. I opted out of the Sci-Fiction and some other categories. I'm huge sucker for anything political or historical... so here goes!
ReplyDelete1) Atlas Shrugged -Ayn Rand
2) Year of the Rat: How Bill Clinton Compromised U.S. Security for Chinese Cash - Edward Timperlake & William C. Triplett III
3) World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War - Max Brooks (I know, I know, but I hear it's awesome!)
4) Cancer Ward - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (my brother has been trying to get me to read this forever!)
5) The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America - Erik Larson
6) The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
7) Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas - James Patterson
(this is a big stretch for me as I can't stand sappy novels ala Nicholas Sparks... I know, something is wrong with me, we'll see if I can get through this one!)
8) We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance - David Howarth & Stephen E. Ambrose
9) Caravans: A Novel of Afghanistan - James A. Michener... I have actually never read a single one of his books so I'll start with this one.
10) Flu: The Story Of The Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus that Caused It - Gina Kolata (I almost moved to a remote location in Alaska after I read The Coming Plague... I may actually do that after I finish this!)
11) Notes from a Small Island - Bill Bryson (no author makes me laugh out loud as much as Bill Bryson. If any of you have not yet read A Walk in the Woods, DO NOT WAIT, it's one of the funniest books I've ever read!!)
Thanks for doing this Kim, what a great idea! I really hope I can manage to get through these books, I honestly haven't read that much since I had Reese, so I'm really looking forward to it!!
PS Kim- I am completely horrified you haven't read HARRY POTTER!! You must start, you won't stop until reach the very last book! :)
ReplyDeleteKathy
Ladies I have something special coming your way!! Thanks for your comments and book lists...Keep us posted on your reading...Kathy has already finished one book! Happy Reading
ReplyDeleteI also think it would be fun to post our opinions after we read the books. Here is my opinion after reading Glass Castle... my kids have ZERO to complain about!!! :)
ReplyDelete