Books & Babble–2014 Reading Schedule

 

Do you belong to a book club???  Book Clubs are the best.  They give you an opportunity to discover new authors and books you would not have otherwise read.  Add in the opportunity to talk about books and life with people you enjoy, what could be better???   I have been working to simplify my life in 2014 by reducing the number of things I am involved in, the Books and Babble book club will always remain! 

In simplifying my life, I am also looking at reducing expenses.  Book club is very inexpensive entertainment.  Once a year, I host the club so I do incur expenses that month to cook for the group.    Otherwise, the rest of the year is nearly free!   Once the reading schedule it out, I reserve as many books as I can at the library.  It is rare that I  actually purchase a book.   As for entertainment, I could pay to go to a movie or curl up and read a book for free!   The obvious answer for me is to read with a nice cup of tea.  Enjoying the simple things in life.

I am sharing with you our reading schedule for 2014 in hopes that you too will discover a book you would not have picked up otherwise!! 

January	The Forgotten Garden – Kate Morton
February	Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg – 240 pages
March	Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou, Autobiography – 224 pages
April	Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed – 315 pages
May	Ordinary Grace: A Novel – William Kent Krueger – 320 pages
June	The Husbands Secret Liane Moriarty 394 pages
July	**Book Share/Summer Get Together – Review of Top Books **
August	Orphan Train Christina Baker Kline 304 pgs
September	Someday, Someday, Maybe – Lauren Graham – 344 pages
October	Call the Midwife Volume 1 by Jennifer Worth
November	Me Before You – Jojo Moyes – 400 pages
December	No Book Group – HAPPY HOLIDAYS
January, 2015	The Art Forger B.A. Shapiro 368 pages

Happy Reading!!!

Book Review: Prime of Life by P. D. Bekendam

Title: Prime of Life Author:  P. D. Bekendam(Author Website) Publisher: Worthy Publishing (February 4, 2014) Pages: 272 pages Format: Advance Copy provided as part of First Look Program from Worthy Publishing

About the Book: (from publisher)

Ben used to be a cardiothoracic surgeon before he suddenly abandoned his career and became a janitor at a retirement facility. Now, other than dealing with minor problems such as an unhealthy obsession with prime numbers, an inept boss, and a feud between two cantankerous retirees, he lives a relatively stress-free life. There is even hope for romance when an attractive podiatrist shows an interest in him.

But it is not long before his past catches up with him and his carefully protected world begins to unravel. He is forced to face deep issues about life, love, and God head-on, rather than hide behind his cleaning cart.

About the Author:

Author and practicing eye surgeon, Dr. Bekendam is happily married and the proud father of two boys. Proceeds from his writing go to help fund his activities in developing countries as he works to bring cataract surgery to the needlessly blind. Prime of Life is his debut novel.

My Review:  I received Prime of Life to review as part of the First Look Program at Worthy Publishing.  Prime of Life is a enjoyable read with very memorable characters.   The setting of this story is in California at the Heritage Garden retirement home.   Being that my elderly father in law lives with us in our home, the characters and their quirks really hit home for me.    I could related to many of the characters and found them very endearing.   Knowing many people on the autism spectrum, I found the main character, Ben very interesting with his various quirks related to OCD type behaviors and thoughts. 

The story moves along at a nice pace and has a few turns through out the story.   Once you connect with the characters, it is hard to put the book down.  You want to know what they will do next and what their fate will be.  Prime of Life is a story of second chances.  It reminds the reader how sometimes even when we are trying to avoid our past, there is a power higher than us that has a plan for us.   It is up to us to embrace that the plan and follow the path to our future or life purpose.

My Rating: 4 – I would recommend Prime of Life by P. D. Bekendam.  The characters are humorous, endearing and stay with you after reading the book.  Prime of Life is a humorous, enjoyable read.   A nice way to spend a Minnesota winter evening, a very heartwarming story.

My Rating Scale: 1 – didn’t like it; 2 – it was ok; 3 – liked it; 4 – really liked it; 5 – it was amazing

Happy Reading!

**Disclosure – Copy of PR1ME of Life by P. D. Bekendam was received from Worthy Publishing in exchange for a fair review as part of their First Look program.

Library Loot: 2/20/10

FEBRUARY 20th, 2010

Library Loot Event is a weekly event hosted by Eva at A Striped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures. that encourages bloggers to share the books they have checked out from the library. I always find many new books to add to my reserve list!

I did not make much of a dent on my pile of books that came home from the library with me last week. I am almost done listening to The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It is a great listen! I am still working my way through The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud. I am not kidding in saying I am working through that one! It is an average book, but I am finding it a slow read for some reason.

The following book found their way home with me on Saturday, February 13, 2010:

1. True Colors - Kristin Hannah
2. The Murderer's Daughters - Randy Susan Meyers

I am off to read and nap a bit. What a lovely day!

Happy Reading!!