Let's Talk Books!

First off, I want to say a big "Welcome!" to all the new faces around these parts!  Sometimes it's still kind of surreal to get my head around the idea that there are that many of you out there who actually care to read the drivel I spout off about.  On the other hand, I find blogging to be a wonderful resource for people, especially for moms, as a way of establishing relationships with others.  There have been numerous times that I have been struggling with something and putting it on the blog has not only helped me purge it out of my system, but the advice and support I have received has been wonderful.  Plus, I love helping you score a good deal or two every now and then!  By the way, have you entered the giveaway for the Amazon Gift Card yet? 
Long story short - I'm happy you're here!

Now, on to today's topic - BOOKS!

I recently had lunch with a teacher pal of mine and we got to talking about some wonderful books we had read recently.  This got me thinking two things - 1.  I haven't read nearly enough this summer and 2.  I need to get my butt in gear and get reading! Unlike my "real teacher" friends, I tend to read the most during the school year, when I find I have a lot of time on my hands while substituting for a study hall, supervising a test, or just killing a prep hour.  Substitute teaching does have its advantages!  So, as the summer begins to draw to a close, I'm looking to pull together my reading list and perhaps slap my name on a library waiting list or two.

Let's help one another out here.  Below you'll find just a few of my favorite books I've read in the past (many that I would re-read in a heartbeat) and books that have been on my reading list.  Add your own suggestions in the Comments and I'll add on to the list as we go.  Together, we can find some wonderful books to read!

Books I've Read that Have Rocked My World

• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - A stark and painful look at modern Afghanistan.  This book broke my heart, but I would highly recommend it.  Also look into A Thousand Splendid Suns by this same author.
• The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - One of my all time faves.  I desperately want to re-read this one.  The way that Plath's prose falls into disarray as her protagonist descends into madness is genius.  A beautiful novel not to be missed.
• The entire Harry Potter series.  I'm a dork.  I realize this.
• The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - If you are a dog person, you will love this book.  If you are NOT a dog person, you will also love this book.  Read my review here and then go get it from the library.  Thank me later.
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - One of the most unique and wonderful books I have ever read.  Written entirely as a collection of correspondances, this work of historical fiction had me on a book-high for days.  Read my review here and hurry up to get on the library waiting list!  A perfect summer read.

Currently Reading

• Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver - This book has been amazing so far.  I am such a Martha and I earn to be the kind of woman who would forgo all the other "stuff" just to fall at the Savior's feet and let the rest go.  I'm reading it slowly to try to take it all in!
• Boys Should be Boys by Meg Meeker - Apparently I'm all about the self-help books right now, but I just finished this wonderful book about how to raise boys to become the men God destined them to be.  I marked the heck out of this text and I plan on going back through it many more times as my boys grow up.

Reading List - What would you add??

• Why Gender Matters by Leonard Sax - Recommended by my dear teacher friend and colleague, this book discusses the differences between boys and girls and how they think, feel, grow, and learn differently. 
• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - The third installment of The Hunger Games trilogy comes out in August and I am beyond psyched!!!  You can read my reviews of the first and second books if you think you might be interested.  Trust me....they appeal to adults as well as kids.
• Women, Food, and God by Geneen Roth - My dietitian actually recommended this book to me!  She said it was a wonderful resource for women to read to get control of emotional eating and other pitfalls that can create a love/hate/love relationship with food. 
• Hear No Evil and Churched by Matthew Paul Turner - Part of the appeal of these is that they are penned by the hubby of one of my favorite bloggers, Jessica Turner.  Also, Matthew is one of the funniest Tweeters I know!
• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen  - My sister-in-law let me borrow this book a very, very long time ago and I still haven't gotten to read it!  I promise I will, Ashley!
• Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane - After seeing Colleen Madden star in The Syringa Tree at American Players Theatre play 24 different characters in the midst of apartheid in South Africa, I desperately want to read this autobiography to learn more.
• The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson - I read the first book in this series and just loved it.  Mysterious, intriguing, unique. 

I have officially run out of the energy it takes to keep my eyelids open, so let's stop here, shall we?

Your turn!  What else should be on the Reading List?

By the way, if you're interested in reading more of my book reviews, you can click here to do so!  Believe me, I did NOT love every book I wrote about!