What's On Your Nightstand? July '09

*** Reminder: I'm giving away two copies of CW Gortner's wonderful novel THE LAST QUEEN. Click here for details! ***

This monthly meme is hosted by 5 Minutes for Books on the last Tuesday of each month. The idea is to share the books you are currently reading, or the stack that is on your nightstand, or something along those lines.

What I do each month is tell you what I'm reading and where ... so here goes!


*** My Carry-Along Book ***

Gone With The Wind, by Margaret Mitchell - I'm reading this as a summer project with Becky's (online) book club. We started in June and are set to finish in August. I never wanted to read this book even though I loved the movie, but a few blogger friends raved about it so I decided to give it a try. It is FANTASTIC! I'm really enjoying it.

For a while I was only reading this in bed, but I finished my book club's selection for this month so now I can devote more of my time to finishing this book (and with 1,000 pages, I DO need to give it some time!).



*** In My Car ***

The Iliad, by Homer - Rebecca Reads reviewed this a while ago and I was intrigued. I love the stories of the Trojan War and ancient Greek gods so I figured I'd try it out. And since this was originally an epic poem meant to be recited, I thought that listening to the audio book would be the perfect way to experience this story. I'm getting close to the end now and I have enjoyed most of it. It reminds me in parts of the movie CLASH OF THE TITANS and the TV show XENA - I wrote about the comparisons here.




*** In the Bathroom ***

The Last of the Mohicans, by James Fenimore Cooper - I'm reading this for the 1% Well Read Challenge. I loved the movie, but I've been warned multiple times that the book is really hard to get through. I'll admit that it is very wordy and the characters are quite different than their movie counterparts, but I AM enjoying it so far. Hopefully that will continue ...





*** On My Desk ***

The Survivors Club, by Ben Sherwood - I'm listening to this audio book when things aren't too busy at work, or when I have some "no-thought-required" jobs to do. The concept of the book is quite interesting: some people are more likely to survive disasters than others, and you can train yourself to be one of those people. I'm more than 1/2 way through, so you can expect of a review of this in the near future.



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Those are the books occupying my attention at the moment. And here is a list of what I'm planning to read soon:

• The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan (for online book club)
• Golden Boy, by Martin Book (for "Read Your Own Books Challenge")
• Thread of Grace, by Mary Doria Russell (for "Read Your Own Books Challenge")
• Till We Have Faces, by CS Lewis (for in-person book club)

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How many books do you have going right now? Is there one that you are really into? Or maybe there's one that you just can't bring yourself to get back to? Let me know what you're reading right now in the comments!

And for more Nightstand posts, check out 5 Minutes for Books.

What's on Your Nightstand? May '09

This monthly carnival, hosted by 5 Minutes for Books, is all about sharing. Here are the details:

Each month, let us know "What's on Your Nightstand" by sharing a quick review of recently completed novels, or a look at what you plan on reading in the month to come. You can show a picture of your nightstand (or your virtual nightstand — a bookshelf, the sofa end-table, a big pile beside your bed — wherever those to-be-reads reside).

I love this carnival because it forces me to take a hard look at ALL the books I have going at the same time, and (hopefully) encourages me to finish some of them. So here is What's On My Nightstand (actually, what is around my house, car, office, etc.) ...

*** My Carry-Along Book ***

The Secret Keeper, by Paul Harris - This book is "set in war-torn Sierra Leone, tells the story of one man’s search for the truth in a nation where the rules of civilized society simply don’t apply." I'm reading this for a TLC Book Blog Tour - my review will be posted on 6/2. I'm only a few chapters in but I'm REALLY into the story already and can't wait to see what happens.




*** In My Car ***

Two books in the car right now, one audio and one a regular book ...

Gates of Fire, by Steven Pressfield - This is a new take on the ancient Battle of Thermopylae (which was also dramatized in the movie "300"). I picked this up from the library based on Lezlie's recommendation and on the whole I have not been disappointed. I'm over halfway through it so expect a review within the next two weeks.




The Triumph of Deborah, by Eva Etzioni-Halevy - This is a retelling of the Biblical Old Testament story of Deborah, an Israelite prophetess, who led her people to war against the Canaanites. I'm really enjoying it, however I lost it for about a week and started THE SECRET KEEPER before I found it, so I've had to put it off for a little while. I can't wait to get back to it though! (For my regular readers, yes, I did find this book finally! It was under the seat in my car ...)


*** In the Bathroom ***

Two books, one to read and one to listen to ...

Castle Rackrent, by Marie Edgeworth - This book, published in 1800, is considered to be the first historical novel. I'm reading it for the 1% Well Read Challenge. To be honest, the lengthy introduction was a bit of a challenge but I'm hopeful that the rest of the book will improve. And if it doesn't, it is really short so I won't be reading it for long anyway!


Mister Pip, by Lloyd Jones - audio book - I've been listening to this while I'm in the shower or getting ready for work. It had been on my reading list for quite a while but Chartroose's excellent recommendation sent me directly to the library to check it out. I highly recommend that you go read her review - she was inspired to research the history of the blockade of Bougainville island by Papua New Guinea during the early 1990s and she even posted of pictures related to the story.




*** In My Bed ***

The Secret Doorway: Beyond Imagination, by Paul Hutchins - This book combines images from the Hubble Space telescope with essays on the nature of the universe and other similar topics. I was really excited to read it but I've been rather disappointed so far ... although the images are GORGEOUS.






*** On My Desk ***

Two books again ...

Little Bee, by Chris Cleave - This is my book club's pick for June. I've already finished reading it and it is now waiting to be reviewed. Here is a quick video about the book that I strongly suggest you watch - it hooked me right away and I knew I HAD to read this book. I absolutely loved this book ... but you'll have to wait for my review (coming tomorrow) to find out why.




Red Rain, by Tim Wendel - Here's what I said about this book in March and again in April: "I started this WWII novel a while ago but it didn't really capture my attention at the time. I've put it aside for now but I do intend to finish it next month. It is based on a little-known story about the Japanese use of hot-air-balloon bombs that they sent across the ocean to the US West Coast." Yet again I've made no progress on this one.





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Those are the books occupying my attention at the moment. And here is a list of what I'm planning to read soon:

Thread of Grace, by Mary Doria Russell
The Greatest Generation Speaks, by Tom Brokaw
Tides of War, by Steven Pressfield (audio)


What books are YOU focused on right now? Tell me about them in the comments! And for more Nightstand posts, check out 5 Minutes for Books.

What's On My Nightstand? ... the April '09 edition

This was supposed to go up yesterday but I just didn't get around to it ... so sorry!

One quick reminder before I get started: you have until Friday night to enter my contest for Receive Me Falling, by Erika Robuck. Click here to read Erika's guest post and to enter the contest.

And now ... What's On My Nightstand? (actually, what is around my house, car, office, etc.)


*** My Carry-Along Book ***

The Lost Men: The Harrowing Saga of Shackleton's Ross Sea Party, by Kelly Tyler-Lewis - this is a FANTASTIC book about the lesser known portion of Shackleton's Antarctic expedition in the early 1900s. You can read a summary here. I've been interested in polar travel for quite some time ... not sure why, as I hate being cold and would NEVER, in my WILDEST DREAMS want to go to either pole. But the book is great and I'm really enjoying it.





*** In My Car ***

The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony that Shaped America, but Russell Shorto - I'm enthralled with this audio book. It delves into the origins of the Manhattan colony in the early 1600s (I think that is the time period, but I can't recall for sure at the moment) and shows how American history has ignored the Dutch contributions there. Much of American history focuses on English influences to the exclusion or many other cultures. This audio book is educating and entertaining me on my rides in the car.


*** In the Bathroom ***

Evelina: or The History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World, by Fanny Burney - I'm still working on this one from last month. I'm really enjoying it though! It was originally published in 1778.






*** In My Office at Work ***

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark - I'm listening to this when time permits. The story is interesting but I can't give it my full attention because, you know, I have to, actually, work ...







*** On My Desk ***

Red Rain, by Tim Wendel - Here's what I said last month: "I started this WWII novel a while ago but it didn't really capture my attention at the time. I've put it aside for now but I do intend to finish it next month. It is based on a little-known story about the Japanese use of hot-air-balloon bombs that they sent across the ocean to the US West Coast." And no, I haven't touched it since then.





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Those are the books occupying my attention at the moment. And here is a list of what I'm planning to read soon:

The Triumph of Deborah (sent by the author)
The Secret Doorway (sent by the publicist)
The Secret Keeper (for a blog tour in June)
Little Bee (for book club in June)

What books are YOU focused on right now? Tell me about them in the comments! And for more Nightstand posts, check out 5 Minutes for Books.

What's on your nightstand? March '09

I always enjoy this monthly activity over at 5 Minutes for Books. For one thing, it helps me organize all the books I'm currently reading. But more importantly, I get to see what everyone else is reading (or putting off reading) ... and then I don't feel so bad.

Since I don't actually HAVE a nightstand I'll share the books that are scattered throughout my life, and I'll tell you where they are - just like I do every month. Here goes!



*** My Carry-Along Book ***

The Game, by Laurie R. King - I'm working my way through the entire Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series this month and I'm currently on this one, book 6. I've only just started it but it looks to be quite good! This book goes with me wherever I go.






*** In My Car ***

Sword Song (audio book), by Bernard Cornwell - This is the 4th book in the Saxon Chronicles series. I don't want to get out of the car when I'm listening to it. I'm about halfway through the cassettes at this point.








*** In the Bathroom ***

Evelina: or The History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World, by Fanny Burney - Great title, huh? This was originally published in 1778. I have high hopes for it ... but I've only just started so I can't say much more than that.





*** In My Office at Work ***

The Leviathan Chronicles (podcast), by Cristof Laputka - This is sort of like an enhanced audio book. I've been listening whenever I can at work. The first 17 chapters have been released so far (there will be 50 chapters total) and a new chapter comes out every 10 days. You can check it out - and start listening! - at this website: www.theleviathanchronicles.com.


*** On My Desk ***

Red Rain, by Tim Wendel - I started this WWII novel a while ago but it didn't really capture my attention at the time. I've put it aside for now but I do intend to finish it next month. It is based on a little-known story about the Japanese use of hot-air-balloon bombs that they sent across the ocean to the US West Coast.




*** Accusing Me from My Coffee Table ***

Receive Me Falling, by Erika Robuck - I first told you about this book here when I met the author prior to the book's publication. She recently hand-delivered a signed copy of the book and I can't wait to read it. BUT I have other books that I've committed to first so it will have to wait (it really doesn't WANT to wait though) ... In the meantime, you should check out the book at her website and let me know what you think!

There is another book next to this one on my coffee table ...

The Bean Trees, by Barbara Kingsolver - This is my book club's pick for this month. Our meeting is Thursday. I've finished the book but I haven't written my review yet (hence the accusing stare from the book). But you should see it pop up in a few days, so I don't feel all that guilty. Really. Not guilty at all. Um ... yeah ...

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That is what is on "my nightstand" this month. Be sure to hop over here to see what everyone else is sharing - and join in the fun if you like!

What's on YOUR Nightstand? (the Jan. '09 edition)

It’s that time again … time for 5 Minutes for Books’s “What’s on Your Nightstand?”

As you know, I don’t keep books on my nightstand (in part because I don’t have one) but rather in odd places throughout my house. Here’s run down of what I’m reading and where it can be found:

*** In my bag, wherever I go ***

Starfinder, by John Marco – I’ve been waiting for this ARC for months, so I had to start reading right away. I hope I’m not disappointed, but I can’t say yet because I’ve only just started it.

*** On my desk at work ***

Phineas Finn, by Anthony Trollope – It’s a LONG classic that I’ve really gotten into and am quite enjoying. I usually read it during my lunch break.

*** In my car ***

The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield (audio) – I love this, but three (!!!) of the thirteen cassettes don’t work! So I’ve also had to borrow the actual book and read the sections that are inaudible on the cassettes.

*** In my bathroom ***

The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud, by Jenny Cote – This is such a long book for me to read to

kiddo (and we’ve been working on it for so many months now) that I’m now taking every opportunity to squeeze in a chapter. I’ve been reading it to him while he’s in the shower, getting his pjs on, and brushing his teeth each night.

*** In my bed ***

Knife of Dreams, by Robert Jordan (audio) – I’m on

the 11^th book in my Wheel of Time series reread/relisten. Book 12, the final book, is coming out in Nov. ’09 and I can’t wait!

*** Staring at me accusingly from the end table ***

Island, by Aldous Huxley – I’m so fed up with this book that I’ve put it aside indefinitely. I do want to finish it though, if only to see if there is ANY redeeming quality about it.

So ... what's on YOUR nightstand?

What's on YOUR Nightstand? (the Dec. '08 edition)

It's that time again, time for the once-monthly "What''s on your nightstand?" carnival! And just in time for Christmas too. So here we go ...

*** With Me Wherever I Go ***

Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer - yes, I know, I'm late to hop on the bandwagon here! But I HAVE seen the movie (*sigh*) and I HAVE read Midnight Sun (*fluttering heart*) and I am embarrassingly addicted to this series. I breezed through the first 140 page last night before kiddo's flu turned into the throwing up kind. I wasn't reading much after that, needless to say. But on the bright side, kiddo being sick means that we can't go to several holiday parties which means more time for me to read - YES! (Really, I'm not that callous - poor kiddo is SO sick, it is just miserable at our house.)

*** On my desk at work ***

Phineas Finn, by Anthony Trollope - I've only just started this one - I'm reading it for the 1% Well Read Challenge (see my left sidebar for details)

PG Wodehouse: The Jeeves Collection - this is the BBC's radio dramatization of several Jeeves tales - I've been listening off and on at work, but I'm not enjoying this version as much as the regular audio versions that I've listened to lately

365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy, by Charla Muller - a memoir of a woman who gave her 40 yr old husband a birthday gift of sex every day for a year - I haven't started reading this one yet (yes, it is still sitting there, just like in LAST MONTH's post)

*** In my bed ***


Knife of Dreams, by Robert Jordan - this is the audio version on cd, and it's book 11 in the series - I've been listening every night before bed (for more on this, see my left sidebar and my comments on The Wheel of Time)





*** Near my couch ***


The Ark, The Reed, and the Fire Cloud, by Jenny Cote - this is what I'm reading with kiddo now - it's the story of Noah's ark told from the point of view of the animals and it's great! Kiddo loves it so far. It's over 400 pages though, so I think it will take us a long time to get through it. (Yes, this is exactly what I wrote about this book last month. We HAVE been reading, but not that much unfortunately.)






Those are MY books ... what about yours? Join in the fun here or post your list in the comments. Happy reading!

What's on YOUR Nightstand? (the Oct. '08 edition)

It's that time again, time for the once-monthly "What''s on your nightstand?" carnival! I love this one for two reasons. First it is only once a month - that's enough for me. And second, it forces me to admit to myself how many books I need to finish. So here we go ...


*** On my desk at work ***

Why The Wind Blows, by Matthys Levy - I've finished reading it and just need to write my review - stay tuned, it should be up this week








Bedlam South, by Mark Grisham and David Donaldson - this is my 'read-at-work' book, the one I pick up at lunchtime - it's a civil war era tale









365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy, by Charla Muller - a memoir of a woman who gave her 40 yr old husband a birthday gift of sex every day for a year - I haven't started reading this one yet (a coworker lent me this book, and I lent her The 19th Wife)




Crossroads of Twilight, by Robert Jordan - this is the audio version on cd, and it's book 10 in the series - I don't have much time to listen to it but I take every minute I can








*** In my bed ***

The Mysterious Island, by Jules Verne - I'm halfway through this but I had to put it aside for a while to catch up on other things - I can't wait to get back to it though!








*** In my bathroom ***

The Turn of the Screw, by Henry James - funny story: when I put this on my list for the Lost Challenge I kept thinking it was The Taming of the Shrew. As I started reading I realized I was wrong. I'm not that far in yet, but I think I saw an old black and white version of this movie years ago and it was deliciously creepy.





*** Near my couch ***


The Ark, The Reed, and the Fire Cloud, by Jenny Cote - this is what I'm reading with kiddo now - it's the story of Noah's ark told from the point of view of the animals and it's great! Kiddo loves it so far. It's over 400 pages though, so I think it will take us a long time to get through it.





*** In my car ***

The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls (audio book) - this is my book club book for November - I just finished listening to it so expect a review soon









Those are MY books ... what about yours? Join in the fun here or post your list in the comments. Happy reading!