My Top 10 Books of 2011

Yes, I am the dork that keeps a typed list of books read.

****Update, I am joining the impromptu linky at Nester too
I am joining Oh Amanda's Top 10. I read 34 books in 2011 that is the exact same number I read in 2010.  Here is the list of my Top 10 reads in 2011 in no particular order.  I found myself drawn to biographies and real life stories this year. A lot of the stories involved travel.

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X Stork
The Help by K Stockett
Water for Elephants
French By Heart by Rebecca  Ramsey
My Year with Eleanor by Noelle Hancock
Finding Nouf by Zoe Ferraris
City of Veils by Zoe Ferraris
The Lost Girls by J Baggett, H Corbett, A Pressner
The Good Girls's Guide to Getting Lost by Rachel Friedman
Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin

I plan on joining Life as Mom's Booking it 2012. It was really fun joining a online book club and seeing what everyone else was reading as well.

Booking it 2011 - December

I surprised myself and did quite a bit of reading this past month.  Please check out what everyone is reading at Life As Mom.  As well as the plans for 2012!

I read the Girl's Guide to Homelessness by Brianna Karp. The basic gist of the story is girl loses house and loses job.  Girl moves into late father's travel trailer and parks it in a Walmart parking lot. Girl starts a blog about homelessness. Deeper than that the book explores the definition of Homeless.  Intertwined is the story of her past with the Jehovah Witnesses and deep abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother. Parts of this book are deeply disturbing and raw.  I am going to say this read is not for the faint of heart. Brianna will challenge your definition of homelessness.  I think in our current economy there are SO MANY working poor that are just one bad situation from living in their cars or being on the street. Brianna was lucky to have a travel trailer to move into but I still consider that homeless. 

I also read two books by Zoe Ferraris - City of Veils and Finding Nouf.  They are both mysteries/thrillers set in the Middle East and give one a rare look into a woman's life in the Middle East. Find Nouf is the first in the series but I read them out of order.  I really enjoyed both of them and can't wait to read more by Zoe Ferraris.

Book It November 2011

I skipped last months booking it but I am back in the saddle. I am still on that Biography/autobiography kick. I am linking to Life as Mom for her Book It 2011.  Please check out what the other ladies have been reading.

I read Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food, and and Love by Kristin Kimball .
This book is the story of the two love affairs that interrupted the trajectory of my life: one with farming—that dirty, concupiscent art—and the other with a complicated and exasperating farmer."



Single, thirty something, working as a writer in New York City, Kristin Kimball was living life as an adventure. But she was beginning to feel a sense of longing for a family and for home. When she interviewed a dynamic young farmer, her world changed. Kristin knew nothing about growing vegetables, let alone raising pigs and cattle and driving horses. But on an impulse, smitten, if not yet in love, she shed her city self and moved to five hundred acres near Lake Champlain to start a new farm with him. The Dirty Life is the captivating chronicle of their first year on Essex Farm, from the cold North Country winter through the following harvest season—complete with their wedding in the loft of the barn.  - excerpt from Amazon.com

It is about a CSA farm.  CSA is community supported agriculture.  It was about experience about the farm life going back to the basics.  At this farm, they provide not only produce but protein as well. It was refreshing. 

I also read My Year with Eleanor by Noelle Hancock. Noelle spends a year conquering her fears using experiences Eleanor Roosevelt had for inspiration and motivation.  Some of her adventures included Trapeze, Diving with Sharks, Going to the Morgue, Volunteering, and Climbing Kilimanjaro

"Do one thing every day that scares you." - Eleanor Roosevelt.
Noelle tried to conquer a fear everyday. I am also a big Eleanor Roosevelt fan.  I remember writing a paper in 6th grade about her.  I also have some fears or limitations I put on myself.  I found this book enjoyable and moving. 

"We are constantly advancing, like explorers, into the unknown, which makes life an adventure all the way. How interminable and dull that journey would be if it were on a straight road over a flat plain, if we could see ahead the whole distance, without surprises, without the salt of the unexpected, without challenge."
Eleanor Roosevelt.

Last, I read the novel, Lincoln Lawyer by Micheal Connelly.  I thought it was excellent and a real page turner.  I happen to like lawyer novels so I really enjoyed this.  No, I haven't watched the movie but I just got it from Redbox.  So that is what I will be watching tonight.

September Booking It

Please stop by Life as Mom and check out what everyone is reading. I am a little late posting but here it is.

I am still reading travel/biography books. Castles in the Air by Judy Corbett is about the restoration of a crumbling castle in Wales called Gwydir Castle.  I thought it was a great true story.  This book is for anyone who has looked at a run down building and said I can fix that. I loved the adventures that Judy and her husband had in restoring this gem.

I also read an Alphabetical Life by Wendy Werris.Wendy Werris is the daughter of Sang Werris a staff writer for the Jackie Gleason show. It is a memoir of her life and adventures in the book Industry.  My favorite quote in the book is, "We never know what may happen when we pick up a book to read. The turning of a page might actually change the course of our existence. There is something miraculous about this. Truth strikes at the very hear of books and readers who turn themselves over with great trust to finding the essence of themselves."  What is so interesting is when she started in the book industry there were small bookstores. Wendy was there when the Barnes and Nobles and other mega book stores came about.

I picked up French by Heart by Rebecca Ramsey in the biography section. It is all about an American Family's Adventure in France. I really liked it. It was an easy read.  My Husband's Grandmother grew up in France. One of Rebecca's neighbors and friends in France is an older woman named Madame Mallet. At first, Rebecca is not friends with Madame Mallet because she always is criticizing Rebecca. Eventually Madame Mallet and Rebecca become friends. Madame Mallet reminds me so much of my Hubby's Nanna. Nanna was an opinionated  feisty lady,too . She is missed.

Booking It August

Check out what everyone else is reading at Life as MOM.  These ladies have some great reading suggestions. You will be inspired.

I am all about the travel books lately.  Maybe it is because we are having a mainly having a stay at home summer.  Here is a little of what I read this past month.

What would you say to your 80 year old self? This was a quote from the book "Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World".  I keep asking myself the same question lately.  Am I playing things too safe?  What is holding me back? Am I passing on an opportunity to grow?  I imagine my 80 year old self as very wise.

The book is about three almost thirty year old girls who set off on around the world trip.  These girls left their high stress jobs in New York City and started an adventure.  Each one of them had to make adjustments to attitudes about travel.  These girls are really brave. I really admire them.  This also a great story about friendship. They were quite honest how 60,000 miles tested their friendship. They just didn't travel for the sake of travel. They also sought out a volunteer opportunity in Kenya.  Each of them took on different roles on their trip such as planner and mediator. This true story makes me want to get out there and explore the world.  Their journey was amazing  with destinations like Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Kenya, India, Laos. I like this quote,  "What if taking the journey is the highest act of faith.?" This book is similar to the book " The Good Girls Guide to Getting Lost,"  by Rachel Friedman (my review). They also broach the subject of why so few young Americans travel and if they do they are women. The Good Girls Guide to Getting Lost also noted this as well. It is a common expectation in other countries that kids will take a gap year. The Lost Girls have their own website Lost Girls World.

I also read another true story called The Big Year - A tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession by Mark Obmasick.  The book is about 3 men who would try to set a North American recording for seeing the species of birds in a single year or 365 days.  The lengths these guys will go to see birds is incredible.  I had no idea people did this.  It is really a fascinating read.  I found out about this book from Almost Unschoolers. It really inspired me to start birdwatching more.  Chuckles has been keeping our bird feeder full.  You never know what we will see.

Chuckles and I did a read aloud this summer and it was Mr Popper's Penguins.  Our review is here. Unfortunately we didn't finish the book in time to see the movie. I look forward to watching this when it comes out on DVD. This was a great read aloud for summer.  I had never read this before.  It is a classic and we both enjoyed it.

July Booking It

It is summer and the reading is slow.  Please check out what others are reading at Life as Mom. I did manage to read a few books.  I read Lucky Baby by Meredith Elfkin.  This book was basically about adopting a older child from China.  It was OK.  The hot reads shelf at the library is going to be the death of me. The main character was a Violist who a strained relationship with her family.  I use to play the viola, too 

The second book I read was a travel book.  The Good Girls Guide to Getting Lost by Rachel Friedman.  I loved the book. The sub title is "A Memoir of Three Continents, Two Friends, and One Unexpected Adventure. " (Rachel also played the Viola. There seems to be a theme here.)Rachel decides on a whim to buy a ticket to Ireland after graduating from college.  This is the start of her adventure.  She meet a Australian girl  there in Ireland also on an adventure. They eventually end up a yearlong odyssey.  This is a coming of age book. I see a lot of myself in Rachel.  My friend Mrs Epi reminds me a lot of Rachel's Australian Friend who spurs onto bigger adventures.  This book reminds me of this quote "...to grow, you have to get outside and go."  While that quote isn't in the book. It does a good job of summing up Rachel's travel philosophy. Travel requires you to let go and go outside of yourself to stretch.

Lastly, I read Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant. The book is set in 16th century Italian Convent, Santa Caterina.  The main character, Serafina, in a novice nun.  She is very unhappy as she was basically sent off to the convent by her noble Father.  Serafina of course is in love so there is the whole star crossed lover theme going on. The book also covers the church politics of the day.  It is a really fascinating read as Dunant keeps you wondering what Serafina's fate will be.

Book it 2011 JUNE

Please check out what the ladies are reading at Life as Mom. I picked up The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell off the hot reads shelf at the library. I think the hot read shelf at the library is going to be the death of me. Quite honestly, I wanted to get this book but it just left me saying HUH. Check out this review at Book Club Queen. She sums it up pretty well.

OK, I admit it I am fascinated by the Amish and Polygamists. I don't want to be either but I am intrigued by their lifestyle choices. I read The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff. The 19th wife has two plot lines going. One is the real life story of Ann Eliza Young the 19th(maybe) wife of Brigham Young and a contemporary story line about another 19th wife and murder of her husband. I thought the actual plot line involving Ann Eliza Young was the stronger of the two. The story of Ann Eliza Young was riveting true story itself as she was Brigham Young's 19th wife and she went on to divorce him. She actually was instrumental in getting the US Government and the Church of Latter Day Saints to outlaw polygamy.

I also read Those who Save Us by Jenna Blum. I had a hard time putting this down. Yes, it is graphic in some parts. The story is about Trudy, History Professor, and her German Mom. Trudy's Mom left Germany after WWII by marrying a American Soldier.  While conducting interviews for a project, Trudy discovers some mysteries about her Mom's past and hers as well.  In some ways it reminded me about Sarah's Key by T De Rosnay. (review here)

Book it 2011- May

Please check out what everyone is reading at Life as Mom. I read "The Boy From Baby House 10" by Alan Philps and John Lahutsky. This true story really pulled at my heart strings. The subtitle is - "from the nightmare of a Russian orphanage to a new life in America. The book is about Vanya condemned first to a baby house and later imprisoned to a psychiatric hospital and labeled as imbecile by Russian State officials. It talks about the incredible Americans and Russians who advocated for him. What a true amazing story that will have you wanting to save every orphan in a Russian Baby House.

I also had a chance to read Water for Elephants. I actually saw the movie before completing the book. It was a good read. There were a couple parts that were rather graphic. I think I liked the movie more than the book.

My reading wouldin't be complete without a Bonnet Novel. I completed The Thorn by Beverly Lewis. It is book one in the Rose Trilogy. It is typical of Beverly Lewis books.

Our bible study group finished the Beth Moore Study - Esther: It is tough to be a Woman. We did this at the perfect time of the year as our study was during Purim and Easter. My review is here.

Last but not least, I read the Help by Kathryn Stockett . It was really good and I jammed through it in about 3 days. The story is about a white woman, Skeeter, who lives in Jackson, MS and decides to write an expose about what the Black maids think about their white woman bosses. This is also being made into a movie.

Haman's Ears and the Study of Esther

The bible study I have been attending has been doing the Beth Moore Bible Study of Esther: It's Tough being a Woman. This is the second Beth Moore study I have done. I love how Beth Moore can tie everything together. Her studies are intense. I know this story resonated with a lot of woman in our group. There are a couple of things that I keep coming back to. The place where Esther says, "...and if I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16) She basically reached out and took a risk for the greater good of the Jewish people. It was risking her own life. Beth Moore also talked about the what if's in our lives. How sometimes those what if's become paralyzing. I also like the devotional saying that was included in the study by Beth Moore.

If _____

then God will take care of me.

If _______

then God has a plan.

If _______

then God desires to accomplish something monumental in me.

If _________

then God's going to demonstrate HIs sufficiency to me.

At the end of the study there was a recipe for the traditional cookie Haman's ears or Hamantashen served during the Jewish Celebration of Purim. Haman is the villain in Esther. My Haman's ears came out OK. I filled mine with Raspberry Jam. The dough was really crumbly. They did really taste good with with coffee or tea.

Book It 2011- April

Check out what others are reading at Life as Mom. Recently, I read Nine Parts of Desire - The Hidden World of Islamic Woman by Geraldine Brooks. I started reading this when all the stuff started happening in Egypt. I have always been fascinated with Muslim woman especially the ones that wear the Hijab. I can honestly say I knew very little about the life of a Muslim woman. Geraldine gives a very honest look in to the world of Islamic woman. She was a journalist in the Middle East for 6 years. I thought her interviews and stories about the various woman she met insightful and revealing. I especially enjoyed the parts about Queen Noor. I also like when she learned to Belly Dance and then performed. It was an interesting read and made me feel more knowledgeable about the world of Islamic Woman. I think Geraldine Brooks said it best in her closing,

" When I lived among the women of Islam, I became part of a world that is still, in the last decade of the twentieth century, and intensely private one. In public, most women move like shadows, constrained physically by their hijab or mentally by codes of conduct that inhibit them. It is only behind the high walls and the closed door that women are ever really free."

In honor of Autism Awareness month, I read Marcelo in the the Real World by Francisco X Stork . This is a young adult book. It is excellent and has a very compelling story. This is from the book jacket:

Marcelo Sandoval hears music that nobody else can hear - part of autism-like condition that no doctor has been able to identify. But his father has never fully believed in the music or Marcelo's differences, and he challenges Marcelo to work in the mail room of his law firm for the summer... to join " the real world."

What I like about this book isn't that the main character has Asperger's but the story is about doing the right thing. Marcelo talks about his inner music - consciousness. I think says a lot of about listening to inner voice and when you stop hearing it what to do. It is about taking a risk and having faith in your abilities. I see a lot of my #1 son in this character in the black and white thinking and asking a million questions. I worry about how my kid is going to function in the real world, too just like the main characters father. This just hit home with me. How do we define success in the real world? Parade Magazine on April 3 had a article on Autism's Lost Generation. Austic Kids coming of age and who will care for them in adulthood. I thought Marcello in the Real World was an awesome read.However, I don't think this appropriate book for 7th or 8th grade boy or girl as for some of the language and situations mentioned. I do think it is appropriate for a mature High School Student. Here is the scholastic reading guide.

Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a day/Book it 2011

I was really excited when Life as Mom announced that Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a Day was the book choice for April for Book It 2011. I had explored this book way back in 2008. Here was my post in 2008 about my first foray into the 5 minute technique. I had gotten away from this method/technique as I have a bread machine. For my first adventure, I stuck to the master recipe and made the Boule. This is so easy. Pictured below is my loaf. I made 3 loaves and a very small batch of carmel rolls. All of which was devoured by the 2 man wrecking crew. This is a book I would like to have. I borrowed it from the library and there was quite waiting list.

I did cheat on the tool part a little. The container I let my dough rise in is a plastic 5 qt ice cream bucket. I also was on someone elses blog and they did their rise in a plastic shoe box. I don't have a pizza peel. So all my last rise I did on my slipat mat dusted with cornmeal. Then I slid the dough onto my heated pizza stone. However on my last loaf, my pamper chef pizza stone died a horrible death. It broke into about 5 pieces. I loved that stone and it was well seasoned. I had it for about 5 years and I use it every week for one thing or another. Someone told me though you don't need a stone just parchment on a cookie sheet. Don't let the equipment stand in your way from giving this bread a go.

Here are some additional resources:

Frugal Living NW had a great post with pictures on the 5 minute Technique.

Steamy Kitchen has a great no knead recipe as well. She also made the No knead Sticky Pecan Carmel Rolls with the 5 minute master bread recipe.

King Arthur also has their own 5 minute technique for artisan bread.

At Survival Mom bread making was the skill of the month in January. I would love to branch beyond the 5 minute bread and my bread maker. I think bread making is a great skill to have and there are a great number ways to be successful at it.

Book It 2011 - March

I read Mansfield Park by Jane Austen as part of Life as Mom's Book it 2011. It is the first book I read on my Kindle. I received the Kindle as a gift. Thanks Nonna! Mansfield Park is a free download to the Kindle. I have read other Austen books but not Mansfield Park. It took me a while to get through.

The general premise is Franny Price is sent to live with her wealthy relatives when she was 10. She is basically a servant and companion. The main part of the book is centered of the coming of age of the cousins and Franny. It is the soap opera of who is marrying who and not so subtle maneuvering one does to find a mate. For a much better and accurate summary see here.

I wanted to shout at or maybe shake Franny Price several times throughout the book. I wanted her to stand up for herself. It seemed like all the other woman characters were a lot more assertive than Franny. I realize though those women could be more assertive because of their position. I actually wrote that in my notes that I like Franny Price but I wanted her angry sooner. I wanted her to stand up for herself way before Henry. Does anyone else think Edmund just settled for Franny because he couldn't have Mary? I know it is the happy ending of Edmund and Franny but it was just wrapped up a little too neatly for me.

Book it 2011- Choose your own adventure

I did Choose Your Own Adventure/booking it on your own book track for January as Part of Life as Mom's Book It 2011. I didn't get much reading done. BUT I read this reallygood book, Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin. It is about the dancer Li Cunxin, an autobiography, who defected from China to the United States. Oh what an amazing life this man has had. It was a riveting read. I had a really hard time putting this one down.

Li Cunxin talked a lot about the ballet Red Detachment of Woman, Chinese Ballet. This ballet is currently being put on by Beijing Ballet. This ballet originated during Mao's reign. Li Cunxin talked a lot about this ballet. It was a feature on the CBS Evening News on Jan 30th.
It also highlighted to me how little I know about Chinese History especially recent history. It seemed very ironic that I was reading this during the Chinese President Hu Jintao visit to the White House. I also read this during when the Tiger Mom article came out. Li talks about his mother and his family's high expectations. He had a very meager start in life. His parents were peasants during Mao's reign It was a really fascinating read and more than just about ballet. It really tells about his journey and pursuit of excellence. Li Cunxin had big dreams and really worked hard to make those dreams happen.

Book it 2011- January

I am a little late to this party. Check out what others are reading at Life as Mom for Book it 2011. The book for this month is The Happiness Project. I read this in December and my review is here. Check back to Life as a Mom on February 10th for posts from others reviewing The Happiness Project. I am doing the read what you want track this month for January. So far, I have read The Telling by Beverly Lewis and I am working on a couple other selections as well. I hope to share that on February 11th.

Here is my upcoming reading list and what I plan to read along with the Ladies as Part of Book it 2011.

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - March 10
Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois - April 10
The Help by Kathryn Stockett - August 10
The Reluctant Entertainer by Sandy Coughlin - November 10

Back to Regular Scheduled Programing

FIRST OFF I did not win the MEGA MILLIONS. Yes, the Giant Man Child bought tickets. Hey, the first step to winning is to buy a ticket. I just had to get that off my chest.

Back to school and back to work. There is some bloggy business to take care of. I plan on taking part in both tracks of Book it 2011 at Life as Mom. Details are here. The first book is The Happiness Project. I have already read that book so for this month I will be on the choose your own book track. Look for my post on February 10th.

Anyone else doing the one little word (OLW) with Ali Edwards? My little word is ACT. Here is the list of words people are using for their OLW. Here is the reading of the words.

Also part of my New Year Resolution and my new weight loss goals, I am going to be posting weekly how that is going. These posts be labeled 40 by 40 posts. Hopefully this will keep me accountable and motivated. We shall see. I will be detailing how my little goals are going. I will doing this on hopefully every Friday.

Of course, I will be detailing all my thrift adventures or should I say my misadventures with Mrs Epi. We went thrifting yesterday in our favorite city and got nothing. There wasn't even anything worth getting. It was very disappointing.