A Book Recommend for the Month of January

This book is fabulous. I actually read it a couple years ago, but they have come out with 2 sequels to it. So If you haven't read it, pick it up!

Inspired by the author's original family memoirs, this absorbing story introduces us to the questing, indomitable Sarah Prine, one of the most memorable women ever to survive and prevail in the Arizona Territory of the late 1800s. As a child, a fiery young woman, and finally a caring mother, Sarah forges a life as full and as fascinating as our deepest needs, our most secret hopes and our grandest dreams. She rides Indian-style and shoots with deadly aim, greedily devours a treasure trove of leatherbound books, downs fire, flood, Comanche raids and other mortal perils with the unique courage that forged the character of the American West.

Rich in authentic details of daily life and etched with striking character portraits of very different pioneer families, this action-packed novel is also the story of a powerful, enduring love between Sarah and the dashing cavalry officer Captain Jack Elliot. Neither the vast distances traveled nor the harsh and killing terrains could quench the passion between them, and the loss and loneliness both suffer only strengthen their need for each other.

While their love grows, the heartbreak and wonder of the frontier experience unfold in scene after scene: a wagon-train Sunday spent roasting quail on spits as Indians close in to attack; Sarah's silent encounter with an Indian brave, in which he shows her his way of respect; a dreadful discovery by a stream that changes Sarah forever; the hazards of a visit to Phoenix, a town as hot as the devil's frying pan; Sarah's joy in building a real home, sketching out rooms and wraparound porches.

Sarah's incredible story leads us into a vanished world that comes vividly to life again, while her struggles with work and home, love and responsibility resonate with those every woman faces today. These Is My Words is a passionate celebration of a remarkable life, exhilarating and gripping from the first page to the last.

If you have read the first one, pick up the Second and third ones! I just started the 2nd one and I'm falling in love all over again!

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

THIS IS A SPOILER TO GET OPINIONS ROLLING... IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK AND WANT TO, DON'T READ THIS POST YET! SPOILER, SPOILER, SPOILER!

 

I just finally finished The Host last night. I really enjoyed the concept of the book. My mind was thinking, and I like that. It did feel like a pretty slow read though. I enjoyed finding all the parallels and seeing how awful and cruel this world would look to onlookers. How we (humans) would appear, and how sometime we are so incapable of compassion (even toward those who are our own) and ungrateful! So many spend so much time trying to disprove the idea that a Greater being created this Earth, the stars, the heavens. Not only the universe, but they attempt to disprove His hand in there own being. He who gives them each breath to say and think and feel what ever the individual wills and yet he mocks and dismisses his own Creator. I know the book does not talk about God. But the concept is still obvious, at least to me. Can we as a human race really say that we deserve what we have been given? 

I'm not saying we should be annihilated!  I do believe we deserve this world. Not necessarily entirely on our own merit, but perhaps because we are created in the image of God. Anyhow - back to the book. 

The relationships were interesting and a little hard to wrap my head around. I get Melanie and Jared. I even enjoy the idea of that forever love (I'm a sucker for that kind of thing) not even alien "worms" can tear true love apart. I also enjoyed the relationship between Ian and Wanda. It seemed it was the two extremes of fierce love (for lack of a better word). One was instant, fire, burning, unstoppable - a wild fire. The other was patient, rooted, long suffering, smoldering, unchangeable -  molten lava. But with Ian and Wanda I only liked it at surface level. Past that it was confusing and a little bizarre. I also enjoyed Jeb and Jamie a lot, however most of the other characters eluded me. There were just so many, to many to keep them straight. 

In the end it was interesting to think of other rebel cells. I was expecting it to end with the idea better to have loved and lost. The seekers find them but they all die, content in finding there own place on planet Earth... in stead it ended much happier even showing off another renegade Soul. 

Very happy ending, hope and love abound, blah, blah, blah. ;) All in all the book was a little slow, it was not until some romance started happening. I think when Jared kisses Wanda and Mel came out with a vengeance that I started getting excited. Not quite what I was hoping for but still an interesting take on things. I have to say that Stephenie Meyer has an incredible imagination! 

Agree, disagree... I want to know your thoughts! 

October Books

I know it's already the 15th but if you are interested these are the 2 books for October. 

THE HOST by Stephenie Meyer -- A science fiction for all people who don't like science fiction. Stephenie Meyer is the author of the Twilight Series

WICKED by Gregory Maguire -- Wicked is the darker tale of that magical land on the other side of the rainbow. GM chronicles the Wicked Witch of the West's odyssey through the complex world of Oz -- where people call you wicked if you tell the truth. 

Hope you enjoy these two October appropriate novels. I'll get questions and posts for each book going in the next week or so...

Book Club Begins!

Welcome to the Hot Mama Bloggers Book Club! If you have ever been in a book club, wanted to join a book club or just read a book once than you're welcome to join us. My name is Leah and this book club is in tribute to my friends and our old Hawaii Book Club at TVA! 

We will be choosing 2 books a months. We are choosing to have two reads so that more of us can be included. If you only have time for 1, choose the one you are most interested in. If you have already read one you have another option and if you just love to read - you have two books to add to your monthly list.

Commentary is always welcome - but if you are finished way before the end of the month make sure you add a disclaimer to your post. I think we will post the 2 books just before the new month. Than we will create a post for each book with specific questions you can comment on - or if you're so inspired, post your own thoughts or questions. 

This is on a trial process so if you have any ideas on how to make things run smoother... let meknow. Invite your friends you think may be interested in joining...

Hot Mama Book Club, BEGINS!