Since I was a kid, I’ve always been a voracious reader. I remember when the green Bookmobile would come to my block in the summertime and I would hustle across the street to load up on Baby Sitter’s Club, Beverly Cleary, and Madeline L’Engle.
That tradition has continued throughout my life, and I’ve been doing my best to impart the hobby to Baby Eddie. I know that if he sees his Mama reading, he’s more likely to pick up the habit himself.
My book club meets monthly and the hostess always selects our next book to read. This system works well for us because, in a group of ten women with varied interests, we inevitably end up reading something that half of us never would have glanced at.
At our December meeting we decided upon Michelle Obama’s new memoir, and I’ve been savoring each page ever since. Did you know that the Obamas insisted upon paying their own moving expenses when they moved into the White House? Or that they were billed monthly for things like their groceries and food, and paid for each overnight guest? I was surprised by so many things in her candid, funny, and emotional book. The woman is a powerhouse.
I’ve never read a Jodi Picoult book before, and I picked up A Spark of Light at a wonderful independent bookstore in Marquette, Michigan, called Snowbound Books. This book is about a shooting at a women’s health clinic and I picked it up to start reading a few days before Christmas. I soon realized that it was putting a damper on my elf spirit, so I set it aside to return to later in the winter.
A book club girlfriend of mine showed up to our December meeting with a special present for me- The Little French Bistro by Nina George. I’ve spent a lot of time in France and, if I lived somewhere other than Michigan, it would be in France. I don’t say that lightly- I lived in St. Amand-Montrond after I finished my undergraduate education and studied abroad in Tours. Baby Eddie takes a weekly French class and a good section of his baby library is in French. This was a sweet gift from my girlfriend and I’m looking forward to reading about one of my favorite places.
I’ve read several of Louise Erdrich’s books and always learn so much about Native American culture. Love Medicine is my favorite and I can’t wait to read Future Home of the Living God, which has been on my bookshelf for a year.
For Christmas 2017, my sister-in-law gave me Pieces of Happiness by Anne Ostby. A book about friendship and chocolate. Sounds like a no-brainer. I started reading this over the weekend and, subsequently, started researching the countries of Fiji and Norway, where the book takes places, and dreaming about making trips to each of those countries.
I have a colleague who is also an enthusiastic reader, and her goal for 2019 is to not spend any money on books. People can gift them to her, she can get them from the library, or they can be something that she already owns. I thought this was such a good idea, since I have so many books on my shelves that I haven’t read. What are you reading this winter? What should I be sure Baby Eddie has on his shelves?
Our winner of the $25 gift certificate to Batter Up Bistro is Kelly Gallagher! Please take me with you. Your gift certificate is in the mail!
1 comment
I read A Spark of Light, and like you, had to set it down. But I did pick it back up and finish it, difficult though it was. Regardless of someone’s view on clinics such as the one in the book, it’s an important read, giving a view from all sides.
An idea for free books ~ enter the giveaways on goodreads. Not only is it a great site to keep track of what you’ve read and your next reads, they give away tons of books ~ my sister has won 41 so far!