April book

Banker to the Poor by Muhammad Yunus

This is quite a change from what I normally read. I usually favor fantasy, maybe sci-fi, a little romance now and then. This is non-fiction, about a man's battle against poverty in Bangladesh.

I discovered this book from "O" magazine, because Hugh Jackman said he liked this book. I think Hugh Jackman is uber dreamy, so anything he likes must be good, right?

Muhammad Yunnus won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work, so I am quite excited to read about his economic impact.

Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Extras

I just finished reading the third book in the series, and have put the fourth book on hold at the library.

A friend in my ward recommended these books because both her and her daughter loved them. I too enjoyed them, though it was much different then what I thought it would be.

It's about life a couple hundred years from now, where at the age of 16 everyone undergoes cosmetic surgery to make them beautiful. It centers around one character in particular, Tally.

It poses many different points about what society considers "beautiful."

Fablehaven

I discovered these books after reading through the Deseret Books catalog.

This wonderfully magical series is about a preserve set aside so all the magical creatures of the world can live in peace away from the unsuspecting population. The grandchildren of the couple in charge of the preserve are sent there for a couple weeks, and chaos ensues as the children discover the secrets surrounding the area.

It's a fast, easy read, but quite delightful.

Maisie Dobbs

I have fallen in love with this mystery series. One of my co-workers recommended it to me a couple years ago, and the fifth book just came out this year.

It takes place in England after the first World War, so it's interesting to hear a different perspective then an American take on the war.

The author, Jacqueline Winspear, uses such a wonderful writing style, and I find it hard to put the book down, with each book having multiple mysteries included in the story.

Princess Bride post from Marielle

I haven't quite finished the book, but I couldn't resist writing some remarks.

I have loved reading it. I took a short hiatus to read some other "new release" books, but am back on track, and plan on finishing it tonight.

I love that the book is SO SO SO much like the movie. Or I guess I should say the movie is so like the book. Except for the Zoo, everything is quite similar. Even many of the lines the characters speak are taken from the book, like "Humiliations galore," and the ever famous "I'm not a witch, I'm your wife!"

Plus the whole storyline with the author reading it to his sick son, it was just so familiar and welcoming.

I found an interesting website that talks about the author, and the so-called Morgenstern.

And if you go here, you can request the missing scene.

I can't wait to watch the movie now! Just to brag, I gave a massage to Norman Lear, the executive producer of the movie. He was very nice.

What's the January book?

A Random Post from Andrea

Ok, so I think that the following words belong in the comment section of the separate post, however, due to prolonged silence on my part I am vandalizing the blog with my own personal comments here.
I was waiting to reply on the Princess Academy until I finished the Goose Girl. Why?....I don't know for sure. Maybe to sound wiser or bookier or something. Anyway, I LOVED IT! I finally finished it here in Hawaii. I figured, hey, I've already got jet lag, why not stay up mega late a few nights in a row and indulge myself with this great book? I love the stories that Shannon Hale tells and the way she tells them. Has anyone read Enna Burning?
I didn't see the Britta thing coming. I think I got too involved in the story to figure. I kept thinking that the lead girl would be princess and I wasn't quite sure how everything would turn out in the end with the village boy and her. I don't think that I should be a detective or anything.
I like the integrity she gives her heroines. Both in Princess Academy and the Goose Girl we aren't ever let down by moments of cowardice, backing out of things, dishonesty or weakness. Those moments are often of literary importants to the story, but sometimes it's nice to just read an impossible tale of heroism.
The Good Husband:
Love the "Free to Good Home" ad!
What a great book too. Wow! Who knew all these great books were out there!
I kept agreeing in my mind with one of the comments on the book sleeve. I don't have the book with me to quote it but the jest was something eluding to the familiar comfort of Mma Ramotswe's voice. A few pages into the book she really does feel like an old trusted friend. I like what M said about the characters.

Thanks for the great books so far! This is a great game.

Good husband reveiw

Anyone looking for a good husband?


This is m. I thought I would write about the book I choose for November, "The Good Husband of Zebra Drive," by Alexander McCall Smith.

This is the 7th or 8th book in the series of The Number One Ladies Detective Agency, and I've read all the previous books. So my intentions were purely selfish when I picked this book, because I knew I'd be reading it anyway, so why not read it with all the other babes?

I love these books because they are so gentle, and have great tips on life. Mma Ramotswe, the main character is "traditionally built" (aka overweight), and she is devoted to the old ways of living in Botswana, where you respect your elders and use proper manners. She is not perfect, but through the different cases she takes, you learn more about her.

One of my favorite things about the books are the supporting characters. Her husband, the car mechanic; the "girl-crazy" apprentices; her plain looking secretary, who scored a 97% on the Secretarial Exam at school; the matron of the orphan school who can get anyone to do anything she wants them to do. They really bring a great dimension to the story.

Some favorite moments from the book: when Charlie, the apprentice who had struck out on his own to start a Taxi service, crashed his car during the first ride; when Mma Ramotswe gave her client the advice to give her employee the key to the cupboard to show that she trusted him, and he ended up stealing all the supplies.

If you haven't read the previous books, I highly recommend it. They are all such quick and easy reads.