Good Morning! It is chilly here in Dallas but I'm still trying to figure out where our winter is. Scott spent most of the day yesterday outside building boxes for our square foot gardening. Yup--we're taking the plunge into backyard gardening. I have NO idea what we'll plant--maybe carrots, tomatoes, peppers, okra. I want to do Squash but Heather said the bugs are bad. Scott can't do lettuce so there's no point in planting any. Would love to do berries but afraid they might be difficult. Anything you recommend??
OK Ok Ok--back on topic. Books.
On Friday I mentioned that I haven't made very much progress on my bookshelf organization yet. BUT yesterday Elle took the most amazing afternoon nap and I was able to at least move a bunch of books around and pull several off the shelf. Books that I really don't know anything about--Books that I've had for years. Sooooooo, I'm hoping you'll help me!
Have You Read These Books or know the authors? Are they keepers or ditchers? Help!!!
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not - Trish Ryan
Back When We Were Grownups - Anne Tyler
Trespassers will be Baptized - Elizabeth Emerson Hancock
The Mermaid Chair - Sue Monk Kidd
The Rapture of Canaan - Sheri Reynold
For Kings and Planets - Ethan Canin
Songs in Ordinary Time - Mary McGarry Morris
The Zoo Where You're Fed to God - Michael Ventura
Big as Life - Maureen Howard
Lost and Found - Carolyn Parkhurst
Pandora - Anne Rice
Standing in the Rainbow - Fannie Flagg (she's hit or miss for me)
Graceland - Christopher Abani
A Man in Full - Tom Wolfe (among others of his I haven't read)
Let Us Now Praise Famous Men - James Agee and Walker Evans
Behind the Scenes at the Museum - Kate Atkinson
The Book of Ruth - Jane Hamilton
While I Was Gone - Sue Miller
Summerland - Michael Chabon
So---what do you say? Read any of these? Send them to the library or read them sooner rather than later?
On the Blog:
Looking Back the last Two Weeks
**On Feeling Whole Again - Handling Postpartum Depression
**Kickin' Fitness's Ass with Movin' Shakin' and Couch to 5Kin'
**Operation Use My Crockpot!
**Friday Ra-Ra-Ramblings :)
On Chickpea Banana
Nine Month Update
Looking Forward to Next Week
**Tuesday is Read More/Blog More Poetry Event hosted by Lu and Kailana. Crossing my fingers that I'll have actually read something I can post about. Ha!
**A fun flying act for Wordless Wednesday
**I've thought about talking about freezer meals for Weekend Cooking but not sure if I'm ready yet. Other than that, I got nada. :)
That's all I got! If all goes well, I'll have cooked THREE crockpot recipes this weekend. Yayyyyyyy!
What's going on with you this weekend?
I have only read Pandora by Anne Rice. I loved it but then again she is one of my fave authors.
ReplyDeleteWell crap. I can be of no help whatsoever. :( I know Ana has loved the couple of books she read by Kate Atkinson, and I've been dying to give her a go. And while I positively adored The Secret Life of Bees, I'ver heard that The Mermaid Chair isn't nearly as good...but who knows. See, told you--I'm rather useless here.
ReplyDeleteBut I am dying to hear what you cooked up in your crockpot. :D
Own or have read most of your list, I say go for it, they are all worth reading!
ReplyDeleteI have only read Trespassers will be Baptized by Elizabeth Emerson Hancock from your list and I loved it. It was so funny. I def. recommend it. :)
ReplyDeleteThe only book I highly recommend from the piles is Rapture of Canaan --loved it! Good luck with the gardening venture. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI have read Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson and I really enjoyed it. I was reminded of it while reading Fall on Your Knees at the end of last year. Not completely the same, but still about a dysfunctional family. It's one of those that you either love or hate it seems. It would be worth a try. It's very character-driven.
ReplyDeleteI have read The Mermaid Chair and was kind of disappointed, I don't want to ruin it for you, but I think the timing on that one ruined it for me. So, who knows?
I'm afraid I can't help with those books. Never read one of them.
ReplyDeleteAll I know is, don't plant mint unless you use a container! Because it will take over your yard, and then your house, and then the world!
ReplyDeleteMy mint stays put. I wish it would take over my yard but we keep mowing it and it retreats. Sigh... But that's probably the New England clime not the good hot areas?
DeleteI wouldn't even know what to use mint for! Other than juleps. ;)
DeleteAnd Mojitos!
DeleteOh my, haven't read any of those, but the Atkinson book about museums or something sounds good. I say donate them all.
ReplyDeleteGarden: I have a concrete jungle in my yard. How about some herbs and spices? someone mentioned mint, that might be good.
As for me, it's a catch up week this week. AND we are going to adopt a dog today. fingers crossed. keep you posted. Have a wonderful day with your family.
I'd pass on The Mermaid Chair. I read Kidd's Bee's novel because I wanted to see the film and really enjoyed it. So, of course, I picked up her other book right? *shrug* It was only meh. Not worth keeping if there's tons of other books you want to read, worth reading if you're stuck somewhere and that's the only book you have with you.
ReplyDeleteI ended the year with Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson and I really liked it. I've liked her mysteries, but this was the first stand alone.
ReplyDeleteGood call, rhapsodyinbooks, on the mint. I imagine your growing conditions are very different in Texas from what we can grow in PEI, but fresh peas in the pod are a highlight around here in the summer. We never cook them - just raw, standing in the garden. Basil is wonderful to have to add fresh leaves.
*Hillary - Thanks for visiting! I haven't read anything by Anne Rice but am a little familiar. Maybe I'll try reading the first couple of chapters.
ReplyDelete*Debi - I've seen Ana talk about Atkinson--think I might ditch Mermaid Chair, though. Pulled Pork last night, coffee cake right now, and later Asian Beef Stew. Mmmm!
*Elisabeth - Even the Tom Wolfe? ;) They take up so much space on the shelf. Ha!
*Brittanie - Alright! I can always use funny, so I'll keep Trespassers. Thank you!
*Diane - I've seen Rapture of Canaan around a lot but have no idea what it's about!
*Kristi - Ok, definitely keeping the Atkinson but I think I'll ditch Mermaid Chair. Wasn't even all that impressed with Secret Life of Bees. :-/
*Amanda - Happy Sunday!
*Rhapsody - Note to self: Plan mint on it's own. Rosemary can kind of take over, too, huh?
*Jenny Girl - I did donate two big brown bags of books to the library!! And have another little stack of others. I'll nevet get through all of these. PUPPY!!! Yes, please share the details!!!
*Christina - Ok, you're the third person to mention Mermaid Chair. Definitely sending to the library. ;) Thank you!!!
*Raidergirl3 - I'm glad you mentioned the Atkinson is stand alone because I've seen people talk about her series and hoped I didn't pick up in the middle! I would LOVE to grow peas. It'll be an experiment for sure--we're currently in a drought and extremely hot summers so I'm not sure what'll happen. :-/
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Back When We Were Grownups, but I did love the one Anne Tyler I read and kind of want all her books. Also, I'd keep the Kate Atkinson, since everyone raves about her non-mysteries and says they're even better than the Jackson Brodie series. One I did read was Summerland - it was fun, but definitely not my favourite Chabon. And I also read Pandora ages ago - not bad, but again not Rice at her best. I hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteThe only one I've read is GRACELAND, which I picked up for Amy's Nigerian Literature Challenge. I definitely recommend it. It's got some violent scenes in it, so just be prepared.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked Anne Tyler, though I know she's not for everyone. I loved Secret Life of Bees but I was told Mermaid Chair is not as good.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either of these but I like these authors:
The Book of Ruth - Jane Hamilton
While I Was Gone - Sue Miller
Blackberries and raspberries are easy -- we have wild ones in the yard. We ignore them, they feed us and the birds. Herbs are always easy. Watch the mint and mint family (lemon balm, etc)
I loved Lost and Found (it's a fun novel set on an Amazing Race-like reality show, but each leg you collect an object and you must have them all at the end.) I also loved The Book of Ruth, but I read it in high school. I wasn't wild about A Man in Full, but I read that one in high school too. Good luck with your garden! I have no desire to garden, but I sure wish my husband would;-)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read a single one, although I have copies of several. I have read Sue Monk Kidd (The Secret Life of Bees, loved it), Anne Rice (several vampire books and The Mummy), and Fanny Flagg. Oh and also Michael Chabon (The Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) (LOVED IT), whom I adore. I have Summerland, so I kinda hope you read that one. :D
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of a majority of these books, but the authors, yes. However, I'd say if you haven't read them yet, I'd give them to the library. My two cents. As for what I'm doing this weekend, you're partially looking at it...at least for this morning, catching up on Sunday Salon posts. Later I hope to continue reading The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo.
ReplyDeleteI liked The Rapture of Canaan, but it's been years since I read it. I've also heard lots of good things about Anne Tyler though (shame), I haven't read any of her stuff. I own it! But haven't read it.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your posts this week!!! Good luck tackling the shelves.
Haven't read the Canin or the Chabon but have really enjoyed the books I have read by both of them. I'd definitely hang on to both. You're doing so much more with your shelves than I did! I was just happy to be able to get them sorted into four categories and get them all on bookshelves and out from under the bed or stacked next to the nightstand. Now I'm feeling lazy. May have to put a little more thought into this!
ReplyDeleteI have read Sue Miller's While I Was Gone. It was intersting and a quick little read. Life changing? No. Entertaining? Sure.
ReplyDeleteDo you guys eat a lot of Mexican food? I have always wanted to plant a "salsa garden". Onion, tomatoes, jalapenos. I don't know how different growing things in different climates is, but my mother does have the most amazing garden. If you have questions, she would love to let you know what works and what doesn't. I would love to have a garden and fruit trees like her one day.
The only two books I've read from that list are: The Mermaid Chair-I very much disliked it...which doesn't mean you won't like it, but I remember being really annoyed the entire book. The Fannie Flagg book was light and entertaining. Not my favorite or least favorite Flagg book. Helpful, huh?
ReplyDeleteMy sister planted berries (strawberries and raspberries) when she lived in CO. They did really well and I think were fairly easy to maintain. However, for some reason I think they need cooler weather than we have here? Not totally sure there either. I'm just full of help today, huh?? :)
I haven't read any of those, so I am no help.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I commented or not, but I was really excited about your crock-pot post! I hardly ever use my crock-pot, so I have been looking for new recipes so that I can use it. I'm making a roast in it tomorrow. Hopefully it turns out well. :)
I haven't read any of these! Though I have tried (and failed) to read Songs in Ordinary Time several times. I would definitely hold on to Summerland though! Michael Chabon hasn't let me down yet. I can't wait for your post on Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteHaven't read any of these but do recognize a few authors (am I echoing everyone else's comments?) I would probably attempt the Anne Tyler. It's been years since I've read her one book that was a movie with Geena Davis and Wm Hurt but THAT has stayed with me. Not really about the book - something about dogs.
ReplyDelete*Nymeth - I've only read one Anne Tyler and I was "eh" about it so I'm not sure. I'll definitely keep the Atkinson and Chabon, still not sure about Rice, though. ;)
ReplyDelete*MJ - Glad to hear good things about Graceland. The cover is certainly catching!!
*Beth F - Yup, definitely ditching Mermaid Chair. I liked another by Jane Hamilton so I might keep that one, too. I would LOVE blackberries but not sure they'll do in our hot climate. So much to learn!
*Nomadreader - Oooh, I like the idea of the Amazing Race premise to Lost and Found! That's not what I expected from the cover at all. I have several Tom Wolfe books on my shelf and I'm not really sure why! ;)
*Heather - Bahahaha! You're books sound a lot like mine "Oh I have that one but I haven't read it/I have another by the author but haven't read it." ;) Keeping the Chabon.
*Unfinished - You'll be proud to know I took two huge bags of books to the library last week! And after this post I'll be taking more!
*Andi - I wondered if Capture of Canaan might be dramatic but you're the second to endorse so I'll hang on to it. Seems lots of people really like Anne Tyler!
*Lisa - I don't know what you constitute as "so much more"! What it boils down to is not enough room on the shelves and needing more space. I did really want to categorize mine into clever groups but I gave up after Classics and am just doing everything alpha. Maybe I'll change later...
*Michelle - I hadn't thought about growing onions!! Though I do like Mexican (um hello!!!!) and would love to make my own salsa or even pasta sauce with tomatoes. Otherwise I"m not really a big tomato eater (though I love a good BLT). I know your mom gardens but fruit trees?!
*Laura - Definitely getting rid of Mermaid Chair. And I think the Flagg book is part of a "series" that I've read from but it's just so big and daunting!! I would LOVE strawberries but do worry about our heat. Praying that this summer isn't like last summer!
*Allie - I emailed you a pulled pork recipe--hope you enjoy it! And good luck with the roast. Personally I think it's tough to go wrong with roast!! Just let it cook until it falls apart.
*Lu - Songs in Ordinary Time is one of those that I've had for years and years. Think I'm going to get rid of it...thanks for your help.
*Care - Huh--Geena Davis and William Hurt, huh? ;) I've tried Anne Tyler once and wasn't thrilled but several have said to keep it.
I think several of the books you have are Oprah picks from the early years of her book club. I've read BACK WHEN WE WERE GROWNUPS - in 2001 - as I recall I liked it. I also read the Kate Atkinson book in 1997 and though I don't recall the details exactly, it was an interesting book that I liked very much. Those are the only two I've read.
ReplyDeleteMe, I've got a "black" thumb and can kill plants with just a touch (almost true actually). Good luck with your gardening though. When I was a kid and we lived in Lubbock, my mom grew all those veggies. The okra gets tall as I remember and is kind of prickly to pick. LOL
I haven't read any of those books so can't help you there :p I'm so happy for you with the gardening!!!!! As for the squash…I've never had problems with them. It may be different areas of the country. I get problems with bugs on my tomatoes more than anything…I hate those damn things :( We planted yellow squash once and had more than we knew what to do with!!! I'm guessing you'd probably have similar results since we're around the same region. Good luck :D
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of these, but I do love Michael Cahbon. So, I'd say keep Summerland and give it a try!
ReplyDeleteI say if you've had the book over two year and haven't read it yet, you're probably never going to. Gid rid of 'em!!!! I so need to do a cull myself. I'm staring at an overflowing set of TBR shelves as I type this. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sad to say that I haven't read any of those, other than Sue Monk Kidd's Secret Life of Bees. Nevertheless, I look forward to your thoughts on the books you read. :)
ReplyDeleteBack When We Were Grownups is one of my favorite books. I've read it at least three times. But it is possible that its appeal is for an older reader.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am very fond of Standing in the Rainbow. Again, maybe it just appealed to me because I am older. But I did love each of these books.
Wow! You certainly are working to purge your bookshelf. :)
ReplyDeleteI should really get to work on mine too!
I am afraid I haven't read most of the books that you mention here. Of these, I have read just one - Fannie Flagg's Standing In The Rainbow. I LOVED the book, and would definitely recommend keeping it. It is not a masterpiece or anything, but good, old-fashioned comfort reading for a lazy day. I even put up a review of the book on my blog. You might want to go through it before you decide. Hope it gives you a better idea of the book, and helps you take a decision. :)
I've read a few Anne Tyler books, but not that one. One I really really liked, the other not so much. The biggest thing they had in common: they move incredibly slowly. So, if that's something that makes you struggle with a book, I'd maybe skip it.
ReplyDeleteThere are several books on your list that I have on my TBR pile and kinda wonder the same thing...
ReplyDeleteI loved Standing in the Rainbow. I haven't read a lot of Fannie Flagg, but I fell in love with this one. Afterwards I read Can't Wait to Get to Heaven and was really surprised how insubstantial it was. I guess she's hit & miss for me too. :)
ReplyDelete*Kay - I'm on the fence about the Anne Tyler but I'll definitely keep the Atkinson! Maybe even read it soon. I didn't realize that okra was prickly! I love it but have never cooked with it--I don't trust my abilities to properly fry things. ;) Have you had pickled okra? YUM!
ReplyDelete*Chris - Ok, I'm glad to hear that you haven't had many problems with Squash because that's probably what I want the most (other than carrots). Right now we're trying to figure out the best place for the box (which is constructed)--we have two large oak trees in the backyard that block most of the sun in the afternoons (western exposure).
*Kim - I've heard good things about Chabon as well, just not this particular book. Think I'll keep it.
*CB James - Ugh, I know...it's terrible to hang on to these books that I've had for years. Am going to try to get rid of a few of them at least. ;)
*Melody - I've read Secret Life of Bees as well--long time ago!!
*Nan - I read one Anne Tyler and it didn't work for me--a lot of praise in the comments for Back When We Were Grownups but I'm just not sure. might keep the Flagg--I've enjoyed her other books.
*Galnxtdoor - Even though I'm put off by the length of the Flagg book I think I'll keep it. I've read another one of the series so hopefully this one is good.
*Word Lily - LOL!!! Slow is definitely not what I need in my life right now. ;)
*Kailana - I have such a bad habit of picking up books without know much about it. Need to stop that! ;)
*Melody - My favorite Flagg book is Daisy May and the Miracle Man. Or is it Fay? Anyway, fun fun book. I thought Welcome to the World Baby Girl was ok--think it's part of this series? So torn! ;)
The Mermaid Chair is a good one, as well as the Kate Atkinson book. I still want to read her Case Histories book, especially after seeing the Masterpiece adaptation they recently showed on PBS.
ReplyDeleteTime flies! I can't believe your little one is already 9 months old!
Plant herbs! So useful. Also, cherry tomatoes. I remember my kids used to run out and eat them like candy. No watermelon (at least, they never worked for us). Oh, and while you can't eat them, lavender is just so lovely. Every time I went outside in the summer, I couldn't resist picking a few sprigs. Such a beautiful scent.
ReplyDelete(I'm not much help with the books on your list, though, I'm afraid - haven't read any of them.)
Hi. I'm a new reader and I really enjoy your blog. I just finished reading The Mermaid Chair and I really liked it. It's not the type of book I usually read, but I'm glad I did.
ReplyDeleteI've read Mermaid Chair, it's an odd book, very odd, but it was well written. I prefer Secret Life of Bees, but the book is worth reading. Haven't read anything else on the list.
ReplyDeleteThe only book that I've read was The Mermaid Chair and like Jules I preferred The Secret Life of Bees. It's worth a read though if you decide to keep it :)
ReplyDelete