Ambassador of Books ~ Book Club Madam ~ Blogger Gal

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

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.





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

12 comments:

Kristen said...

I'm finally reading Tim O'Brien's "July, July." I've had it for about a year, but just haven't sat down to read. I'm carrying it with me everywhere, and I can't wait to get the springs on my car fixed today because that means probably a few hours sitting in the waiting room with my book.

Oh, woe is me...

Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours said...

Kristen - See?! Car troubles can be a GOOD thing! ~LOL~

Anonymous said...

I love that you have as a category "In the bathroom"! I always have one in there too, but the selection process is very difficult, because of the frequent putting down and picking up and so on! :--)

Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours said...

rhapsodyinbooks - Maybe it is just me, but I think anyone who says the DON'T read in the bathroom is, quite frankly, lying. :)

morninglight mama said...

Another interesting list-- have a happy month of reading!

ANovelMenagerie said...

I liked this post! Fun!

I really enjoyed The Triumph of Deborah and reviewed it on my blog. I think you'll like it.

Bybee said...

My main book is The Benchley Roundup, which I hope to finish tonight, just in time to count it for April. It's humorous short pieces...not quite essays.

There's one hanging over my head giving me dread...Go Down, Moses by William Faulkner. I've got a block about it. It's gotten so that I'd rather write lesson plans or grade papers than read it. But I can't give up.

I'm hoping to crack open In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck right after I finish Benchley. I also need to get to The Red Tent for book group on May 17.

So, that's where I'm focused...or fuzzy, as in the case of the Faulkner...right now.

Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours said...

morninglight mama - thanks, you too!

ANovelMenageria - I'm really looking forward to it. I think I remember your review - I'll have to go back and check it out again after I finish reading.

Bybee - Oh dear, sounds like you're really in a funk with that Faulkner book. Maybe you need to put it aside for a while? Start on The Red Tent - it is a great story and will certainly keep you interested!

Lisa said...

I'll have to add The Lost Men to my reading list - I am fascinated by Shackleton and his voyages.

Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours said...

Lisa - Then you will certainly enjoy this one ... it is a fascinating book and I can't put it down!

Lisa Spence said...

The Lost Men looks interesting...I guess you've read Endurance? An amazing story!

Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours said...

Lisa writes ...:

I listened to the audio book of The Endurance (my brief review here) a while ago, and I've seen several tv programs about it as well. I find it completely fascinating!

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