Let’s talk about books, shall we?
Books I’m reading: Right now I’m reading We Were Not Alone: How an LDS Family Survived WWII Berlin and Life of Pi (my book club’s pick for the month).
Books I recently read: I, Juan de Pareja. Loved it. It’s supposedly for children (Newberry Award Winner), but it’s all about Velazquez and Spanish art history, so I really liked it. (Did you know I lived in Madrid for 3 summers as a young adult? Sigh, I miss it.) And Precious Bane. Oh my goodness, what a beautiful book. It’s one of those genius books that should have been really famous, but is still largely undiscovered. There’s one scene that’s kind of PG-13ish, but even with all my book prudishness, the writing and character’s thoughts were so compelling that I just loved it.
Books on my list: Remember Melanie? Well, she writes “LDS chick lit,” which I never read. Except I’ve read all of Melanie’s because I really like her. And I have to admit that when I read her books, I automatically feel transported to age 24, and I love her sassy protagonists and witty dialogue. She has a new one that just came out called Twitterpated and I need to get my hands on it. It’s about a girl whose roommate dares to sign her up (without permission) on an online dating site. Mayhem ensues. And probably romance. Should be a fun read. Check it out. I think they’re giving away a copy here. Yay, Melanie!
Books I’m writing: I’m writing a book. That still blows my mind. It’s about how motherhood is a reflection of all the different roles and missions of the Savior’s ministry. My goal is to have it finished by May, and published next year. Start saving up spare change so you can buy it in 2013. Then when I send a query letter to publishers, I can say, “I already have 23 people lined up to read this book.” I’m sure that will be the critical selling point. 🙂
The other book that I contributed to (and incidentally, so did Melanie), Tell Me Who I Am, is available on Amazon now. I’ve decided I’m officially famous if I’m listed as an author at Amazon.com. Don’t tell me if I’m wrong.
Books you’re reading: How about you? Have you read anything lately that you think the rest of us should read? Do tell.
Diapers and Divinity 
I’m loving two books right now:
The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman – fantastic application of the 5 love languages to our relationships with our children. It was just updated and I’m loving it.
Increase in Learning by Elder David A. Bednar – Again, wonderful book. I’m challenged to learn and grow as I read this one. Wonderful!
Thanks Stephanie for the book suggestions. I’m a book nut. I’m always looking for something good & worth while to read. I’ve read We’re not Alone and loved it! Right now I’m reading Bad Men in the Book of Mormon.
Yay! You are definitely an amazing author if you are listed on Amazon! And I would totally buy your new book!
As for books I am reading – I am just finishing the Harry Potter series again. I’m also in love by any book by Merrilee Boyack. She’s amazing. 🙂
I’m reading Faith Precedes the Miracle by Spencer W. Kimball and The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollen (yes, I am a little crunchy). I recently read A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard which was horrible and wonderful at the same time. She is an amazing woman.
I need to find some good fiction to read. I’ve been reading Where the Mountain Meets the Moon to my kids (a Newberry Honor book). I am a sucker for children’s books. I am definitely too prudish for YA and adult fiction 😦
There is a mystery series about an 11 year-old girl set in 1950’s England. I just finished number 4, and I’ve loved them all! They’re by Alan Bradley, and the girl’s name is Flavia De Luce. Happy Reading!
Congratulations, that is great you are writing a book!
I love book recommendations. By the way, have you found Goodreads? Love that site and being able to see what friends are reading and get great recommendations.
I put in a request for We Were Not Alone and Twitterpated to the library. Question, though, apparently there are multiple books called Precious Bane. Do you mean the one by Mary Webb?
And here are some recommendations from me:
*Flunking Sainthood by Jana Riess. I just read this for my book club. Very interesting! She takes a different virtue (fasting, gratitude, etc.) each month for a year and seeks to master them. Some great insights and it was interesting to learn about other world religions. For example, when she was keeping the sabbath, she really leaned heavily on Jewish traditions and interpretations.
*Women of Faith in the Latter Days, Volume One by Richard E. Turley. Each chapter focuses on a Latter-day Saint woman born between 1175 and 1820. Very interesting, and nice bedtime reading because I could read a chapter and then put it down rather than feeling like I had to stay up all night.
*For some lighter reading, I’m re-reading the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander. Young adult fantasy, I’d put these right up there with The Chronicles of Narnia.
Yes, Mary Webb.
I don’t read many non-fiction books. My life is reality enough that I need an occasional unicorn to keep things even. However, the WWII book has piqued my interest. As for your book, you are so incredibly awesome!
I just finished “Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow” by Jessica Day George, also an LDS writer if you haven’t heard of her. It’s based on the Norwegian fairy tale, East of the Sun West of the Moon. LOVED. She has another one based on the fairy tale about the 12 dancing princesses but I haven’t read it yet.
I’m currently in the process of reading a number of books. The Moroni Code and The Abraham Enigma by Jack Lyon, Alma the Younger by H. B. Moore, and The Book of Malchus by Neil Newell and William Hamblin, (which I just finished and I totally loved it). I love the LDS fiction in between the heavy, Understanding Patriarchal Blessings by R. Clayton Brough and Thomas W. Grassley
I am really really REALLY enjoying Tell Me Who I Am.
So much so that I’ve started giving it as gifts.
I still want your signature!