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Reading Room:  Eclectic Reading Corner...  |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 05 2004 : 3:10:40 PM
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Hello girl friends! I moved my bookshelf today and in the process came across some of my favorite reads in recent years and thought I'd share them with you. They are an eclectic mix and ditto on the topics, but I'm such a curious person, always wanting to learn new ideas that they really appealed to me. Here they are:
THE RED TENT a novel by Anita Diamant: A synopsis: "Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters about her father, Jacob, and his dozen sons in the Book of Gensis. Told in Dinah's voice, this novel reveals the traditions and turmoil of ancient womanhood - the world of the red tent. It begins with the story of her mothers-Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah - the four wives of Jacob. They love Dinah and give her gifts that are to sustain her through a hard working youth, a calling to midwifery, and a new home in a foreign land. Dinah's story reaches out from a remarkable period of early history and creates an intimate, immediate connection. Deeply affecting, THE RED TENT combines rich storytelling with a valuable achievement in modern fiction: a new view of biblical women's society."
THE DANCE OF THE DISSIDENT DAUGHTER, by Sue Monk Kidd (an auto-biography). Synopsis: "In the late 1980's, Kidd experienced an unexpected awakening, one that brought her into conflict with every aspect of her former life. She began a journey toward a feminine spirituality. With the exceptional storytelling skills that have helped make her name, Kidd tells her very personal tale of the fear, anger, healing and freedom she experienced on the path toward the wholeness that women have lost within the patriarchial faith traditions."
THE CAMINO, a Journey of the Spirit, by Shirley MacLaine: (My note: No matter how kooky you may think Shirley is, she is a very real woman with more than a lifetime of experiences, which I find fascinating!) From the introduction: "There is a famous pilgrimage that has been taken by people for centuries called the Santiago de Compostela Camino across northern Spain. It is said that the 'Camino' lies directly under the Milky Way and follows ley lines that reflect the energy from those star systems above it... The Santiago Camino has been traversed for thousands of years by saints, sinners, generals, misfits, kings, and queens. It is done with the intent to find one's deepest spiritual meaning, and resolutions regarding conflicts in Self...On my journey westward along the Camino, I felt I was traveling backward in time to a place that began the experiences that made me and the human race what we have become today."
Great summer reading! 
Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural |
Edited by - Clare on Jul 05 2004 3:14:26 PM |
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cecelia
True Blue Farmgirl
497 Posts
cecelia
new york
USA
497 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2004 : 5:09:24 PM
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 Hi all readers,
I have read The Red Tent - found it to be very interesting to say the least. For those "older" readers you might enjoy "The Gazebo" by Emily Grayson, it's about two lovers kept apart for various reasons who meet once a year for 50 years at the same spot (hence the title). I won't spoil the ending for you! If you're looking for country property please be sure to read "It Takes a Village Idiot", which is a comic and true story of a city couple who buy a "farm" in the country (wife's idea) and eventually make the move there permanently. Very funny book. Another must for middle aged women is "The Florabama Ladies' Auxiliary and Sewing Circle" by Lois Battle, about a wife whose husband leaves her to "find himself" after 30 or so years of marriage. (ps the wife survives it very well!). If the heat gets to you read "Cold" by John Smolens. And for all of us who wish for the simpler life, how about "The Simple Living Guide" by Janet Lahrs. All good stuff. Pleasant reading.
Cecelia
ce's farm |
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ElizArtist
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Elizabeth
Newbury Park
California
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2004 : 3:29:15 PM
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I love the Red Tent! My daughter and I were just talking about rereading it. I will look into some of the other books, my reading list just keeps getting longer every day. It Takes a Village Idiot sounds like something I'd like to read with my husband, we used to read to each other in bed in the evenings, but have fallen out of the habit, maybe we'll start up again. Has anyone read Barbara Kingsolver's books? I love Animal Dreams and the Bean Trees especially. And my all time favorite book is The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, it's Arthurian, so it's for those who love a fantasy.
joyously dancing through life |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2004 : 11:49:58 PM
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I have read all of Barbara Kingsolver's books that I have found. I loved the Bean trees too.
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
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cecelia
True Blue Farmgirl
497 Posts
cecelia
new york
USA
497 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2004 : 8:22:53 PM
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Elizabeth, yes, I've read the Mist of Avalon and there is also a movie out that you can rent or perhaps find at the library. I can't say it a favorite, because I don't like that genre (fantasy), but it was a good read anyway. A bit long too. I've only read Prodigal Summer by B. Kingsolver and I did enjoy it very much. Right now I'm between books, waiting for some from the library, and going through books I own but haven't read yet. For a while I belonged to one of those book clubs where you get free books, and I haven't read them all yet!
Cecelia
ce's farm |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2004 : 8:48:52 PM
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Barbara Kingsolver also wrote The Poisonwood Bible. It is a work of art. The book club I belong to thought it was the best book we have ever shared, and it created some great discussion.
Recently finished The Patron Saint of Liars....by the author who wrote Bel Canto. I cannot remember the name right now. Currently I am reading Ghost Riders by Sharyn McCrumb. She writes about the Appalachian area and it's history.
I would recommend any of these for good enjoyable reading.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2004 : 11:09:29 PM
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I love reading about the Appalachian area and will have to search for Ghost Riders..that sounds like my kind of book.
I never did read The Poisonwood Bible. Maybe I should!!!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2004 : 11:18:50 PM
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Got Ghost Riders at the library today...hooray..it was worth the trip with 5 kids even! Now I won't get anything else done but reading!!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2004 : 11:47:17 AM
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Enjoy, Jenny! I really liked the book. Five kids to the library? What a woman!
Here is another suggestion to all who love to read. "Where the Light Remains" by Hayden Gabriel. It is about country life in Cornwall, England. It flips back and forth between now and a century ago as the story unfolds about two women who lived in the same farmhouse a hundred years apart.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
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cecelia
True Blue Farmgirl
497 Posts
cecelia
new york
USA
497 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2004 : 2:02:25 PM
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For anyone "down South" I recommend "The Clearing", a period piece by Tim Gautreaux; it's about a Louisiana mill town after W.W.I, and the man who tried to run the mill. For those living in the Northwest, try "The Living" by Annie Dillard. Find the paperback - the picture on the cover just about tells you what it will be like.
Cecelia
ce's farm |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2004 : 12:05:45 PM
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Hi fellow readers! I am in the middle of another book I think you all will love too. It is called "Wish You Well" by David Baldacci. He is an author who writes political novels, like Absolute Power and Total Control, but this is a definite change from his normal genre.
I am loving it. It takes place in 1940, when two children from New York City must go to live with their great-grandmother in the hills of Virginia. It is great.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2004 : 9:10:54 PM
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THAT one I have read. It was so good!!!!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
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imafarmin
Farmgirl in Training
12 Posts
Janet
Grants Pass
OR
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2004 : 08:43:45 AM
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I read "Wish you well" too! I really enjoyed it!
Barbara Kingsolver cannot write fast enough for me! Love her writing! The Poisonwood Bible is the last book of her's that I read and it was truly a work of art as jpbluesky said.
Janet
Burst your bud of calm and bloom into hysteria :-). |
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n/a
deleted
10 Posts
Tracy
Amherst
NH
10 Posts |
Posted - Aug 19 2004 : 1:01:20 PM
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Okay ladies...have any of you tried Lisa Carey's The Mermaids Singing? About the relationship of three generations of women of Irish descent and their self-discovery. A beautiful and moving book. She has another, I've forgotten the title, but it is also about Irish-Americans and has to do with a man haunted by the ghost of a little girl. The girl died while escaping the potato famine. Interesting concepts in that one. And just to push you in another direction you MUST read Pastries. About the life of an Indian-American woman pastry chef. Yummmmm.
Pieces of the moon dancing |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Aug 19 2004 : 1:39:55 PM
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Thanks Tracy! I'll check these out! Good to have you participating!
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural**** |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Aug 19 2004 : 1:52:16 PM
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Just finished "The Wedding" by Nicholas Sparks, author of "The Notebook". This is a sequel, and it is a great book. Easy to read, and a wonderful story for anyone, especially those who have been married 20+ years. Tears are involved, but no great crisis or heartbreak!
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Aug 19 2004 : 6:12:10 PM
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I am reading "Wringers"..has anyone else read it? I am loving it so far..really well written. I have "The Wedding" on my list to read soon too....I loved the Notebook!!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Aug 19 2004 : 11:07:21 PM
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| And the list of books to read grows!!! Barbara Kingslover also has two books of essays. They are both thought provoking and wonderful. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2004 : 08:02:46 AM
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Okay..more for my list.. I didn't know about those!! Isn't it nice that there are always more good books available????
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2004 : 11:51:38 PM
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"Where else is human nature so weak as in a book store?"
Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)
Henry was right.
Sharon |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2004 : 09:49:58 AM
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I went to the library yesterday and found the B. Kingsolver book of Essays called "Small Wonder Essays" on sale in the "book sale" section for $1!!!! Hooray! CAn't wait to read it. And boy do I agree that Henry was so right!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2004 : 1:04:44 PM
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Her other book of essays is "High Tide in Tucson". You scored with the dollar "Small Wonders"!!! I love reading books of essays and short stories because I can feel like I finished something:)
Enjoy!
Sharon |
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cecelia
True Blue Farmgirl
497 Posts
cecelia
new york
USA
497 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2004 : 7:33:54 PM
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Hi Farmgirlfriends,
Back from vacation and boy did I find an eclectic book. We stopped at an antique store, which was in an unused schoolhouse. Filled to the brim with antiques, junk, etc. I found a book entitled "Cecelia, a Tale of Modern Rome" Well I just had to get that ($7). It's from 1904. I have another book entitled "Cecelia" which was written in the early 1800's and I never did finish that one - it's over 500 pages and written in somewhat archaic language, with 30 word sentences, etc. I'm curious to see what the "newer" book is like - it's shorter, a hardcover novel. Should be an interesting read!
Cecelia
ce's farm |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2004 : 7:43:49 PM
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fun to have out on your coffee table as a conversation piece for sure too, Cecelia!! How neat!!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
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n/a
deleted
10 Posts
Tracy
Amherst
NH
10 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2004 : 12:59:25 PM
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Ladies I just finished another fun one called "The Probable Future" by Alice Hoffman. Three generations of New England women though 300 years of family history show up also.
Pieces of the moon dancing |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2004 : 9:23:10 PM
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Ooooh That sounds good too! I splurged and bought "The secret life of Bees" today at Barnes and Noble. It was 20% off and thats my exuse..haha. I am going to start reading it tonight. Husband brought home 5 boxes of peaches from a co-workers trees that are ripe..NOW so I have alot of canning to do tomorrow..I will have my herb tea and reading tonight.
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
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Reading Room: Eclectic Reading Corner... |
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Eclectic Reading Corner...
