Sunday, July 25, 2010

It's Monday -- What Are You Reading?



It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. It's is a weekly event to celebrate what we are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week.

I FINISHED 2 VERY good books last week:

Backseat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson (4 1/2 out of 5 stars)
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway (5 out of 5 stars)

Please, read The Cellist -- it will take you one afternoon at the most -- I'm still reliving the story and characters. I just can't shake them.

Did Not Finish:
The Sound of Language by Amulya Malladi

From the Library (and currently reading):
A Thousand Sisters: My Journey into the Worst Place on Earth to be a Woman by Lisa Shannon
A Thousand Sisters: My Journey into the Worst Place on Earth to Be a Woman

Summary (from Goodreads):
Lisa Shannon had a good life — a successful business, a fiancé, a home, and security. Then one day in 2005, an episode of Oprah changed her life. The show focused on women in Congo, a place known as the worse place on earth to be a woman. She was suddenly awakened to the atrocities there — millions dead, women being raped, children dying in shocking numbers. It was then that Lisa realized she had to do something — and she did. A Thousand Sisters is Lisa Shannon’s inspiring memoir. She shares her story of how she raised money to sponsor Congolese women beginning with one solo 30-mile run and then founded a national organization, Run for Congo Women. The book chronicles her journeys to the Congo, meeting the sponsored women and hearing their stories. Along the way Lisa is forced to confront herself and learns lessons of survival, fear, gratitude, and love from the women of Africa. A Thousand Sisters is a deeply moving call to action for each person to find in them the thing that brings meaning to a wounded world.

The horrors inflicted upon women never cease to unnerve me, but I don't seem to do anything about it. Lisa Shannon does. Also, if you haven't read Left To Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza, I highly recommend it.

From the bookstore discount table:

Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson
Before Green Gables
Summary (from Goodreads):
Before Green Gables is the story of Anne Shirley's life before her arrival at Green Gables-a heartwarming tale of a precocious child whose lively imagination and relentless spirit help her to overcome difficult circumstances and of a young girl's ability to love, learn, and above all, dream.

Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals
Warriors Don't Cry: The Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High

Summary (from Goodreads):
In 1957, at the age of 16, Melba Pattillo became a civil rights warrior. Following the landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling, Melba was one of nine teenagers chosen to integrate Little Rock's Central High School. Here, in a special abridged young reader's edition, is Melba Pattillo Beals's remarkable story.

It's embarrassing to think that as an adopted Arkansan, I haven't yet read this book. Now I hope to change my ways.

So, due to my never ending influx of library books and book buys, I can't seem to make a dent in my TBR list, but I did read two books from my previous post, so that is progress!!

In no particular order, here is the latest (and very familiar) TBR list:

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Love and Other Impossible Pursuits by Ayelet Waldman
A Long Long Time Ago But Essentially True by Brigid Pasulka
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
One Day by David Nicholls
A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

What are you reading this week?

23 comments:

Teddyree said...

Thanks so much for the reminder about The Cellist of Sarajevo, I've had it sitting on my bookshelf for nearly 12months, time to get it down :-)
Great choice of books, happy reading!

Cat said...

The Cellist of Sarajevo is one book I keep meaning to read but still haven't got to.

Happy reading!

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

Backseat Saints is one I have been thinking about trying. A Thousand Sisters looks like a good one too. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

I clicked over and read your review of the The Cellist of Sarajevo. I don't think I've ever seen the book before in the store or the library. I may have to make a request.

I like books that capture you mind intently, but shy away from thing I think will be depressing. That is unless someone says "Please Read This." I will make an effort to check it out.

Unknown said...

Just had a look at your review of The Cellist of Sarajevo and will be adding it to my TBR list. Will also be adding A Thousand Sisters, they both sound brilliant!

Crystal (I totally paused!) said...

I'm curious about Before Green Gables, I might have to read that one soon myself!

Have a great week :) Mine is at:

http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=1516

Jennifer said...

I want to read the Cellist of Sarajevo. Great line-up, have a wonderful week reading. If you get a chance my Monday: http://www.rundpinne.com/2010/07/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-5.html

Jan von Harz said...

Read you review on the The Cellist of Sarajevo and was quite taken by the video. Thanks you for sharing this. I am interest in Warriors Don't Cry this looks like a very interesting book. I look forward to a review. Have a great week!

Booksnyc said...

Interesting books! I haven't read the Cellist of Sarajevo but you have convinced me - I just put it on the TBR. A Thousand Sisters sounds interesting too!

Have a good week!

Bobbie said...

Before Green Gables is on my TBR list. Visiting you from 'Til We Read Again:
http://tilwereadagain.blogspot.com/2010/07/its-monday-what-are-you-reading_26.html

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

Oh, I adored the Green Gables series, so of course I'm wanting Before Green Gables.

A Thousand Sisters sounds so inspirational. Enjoy your books.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Helen's Book Blog said...

Ok, I'm adding the Cellist to my list to borrow/buy/get/read! Enjoy your week

Katie said...

Nice Monday! Mine is here. Have a good week reading! Katie x

dollycas aka Lori said...

The Cellist is now on my wish list, thanks for the recommendation!! Thanks for stopping by today, I appreciate it!!

Dollycas

sheisreading said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! We lived in Northern Virginia for 4 years and we loved it.

I read 'Warriors Don't Cry' about a year ago. It is extremely powerful. I highly recommend it.

Heather

danya said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog! I've heard about Before Green Gables but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Are you enjoying it so far?

jlshall said...

You've got so many interesting books listed here! I've been intending to read I Capture the Castle for years now - might have to put it on my list for this fall. Thanks for reminding me.

Hope you enjoy all your reading this week!

Unknown said...

Great books! I haven't heard of the Cellist before. I'm going to put it on hold at the library right now - thank you!!

Happy Reading!

Amanda said...

A Thousand Sisters sounds AWESOME. I'm putting it on my TBR list on Goodreads.

Thanks for the recommendation. Here’s my Monday

Anonymous said...

Super cute blog! I am a new follower. I read Left to Tell, and I was amazed at her story and ability to forgive. That book taught me that anger doesn't really solve anything, but forgiveness brings healing. I don't know if I could have done what she did. Hope you have a great week!

Danielle @ everylastpage.blogspot.com

Linda L said...

Looking forward to reading Cellist of Sarajevo and Thousand Sisters after reading your reviews. Thanks!

Gwen@ChewDigestBooks.com said...

Before Green Gables looks good and I am off to read your review of The Cellist. Even the title makes me want to read it!

SandraO said...

I read The Cellist of Sarajevo a couple of years ago and I'm still telling people about it. That was a good book choice. I'm an author on the Library of Clean Reads and am new to blogging. I appreciate the positive comments you've made on a couple of my book reviews. Thanks.