Nikki's Book Shelf

Book Club

My book club is a group of women of all ages that meet at the local independent book store. The owner of the store picks most of our reads based on recommendations from the book association, but sometimes the women in the group will make suggestions. If you want a link to my book club's web site, email me. I'm not going to post it for privacy reasons.

May book club: The Piano Tuner, by Daniel Mason
I'll read this while I'm in Phoenix next week (5/5/08)

April book club: Friday Night Knitting Club, by Kate Jacobs
Slow start, but I liked it. There are lot of characters, who, of course, all know each other through knitting. The story is how their lives influence each other and how the friendships develop.

March book club: Family Tree
Interesting discussion book. White family has a black child.

February book club: Eleanor vs Ike, by Robin Gerber
Disappointing. It could have been so much more. Explores the possibility of Eleanor Roosevelt running against Eisenhower in 1952. Book club decided that it would have been better as an essay or non-fiction rather than a novel.

January book club: Labyrinth, by Kate Mosse (www.labyrinthbook.net)
So far, I like this book. Reminds me some of I, Mona Lisa, a book that Jessica suggested I read. [UPDATED 4/27 - I ended up not liking this book]

November book club: The Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan
The first section about corn is a little long to get through, but interesting. Do not read this book if you ever want to eat a chicken nugget again. Otherwise, I've been fine even eating cheeseburgers. Not from McDonalds. I haven't been there since I saw Supersize Me in April 2007. [Update April 2008 - I think this still holds true, but I have been to Burger King and Five Guys]

Also on the shelf

Books about pregnancy:

Watch Me... Grow!, Stuart Campbell, M.D. -- This has 3D ultrasound photos of babies at each week. Tells what the baby and do and how big it is. This BY FAR is the best book for pregnancy that I have.
While Waiting, Werrilli & Mueser -- Has good summaries of common tests and terms you hear at the doctor's office.
The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy, Vicki Iovine -- Funny. It was a much appreciated gift because it stopped me from reading the following... (Thanks, Heather!)
What to Expect When You're Expecting, Murkoff, Eisenberg & Hathaway -- It's exactly that, and not too much about what not to expect, so forget it if you have a high risk pregnancy. I guess I'm a little bit synical.
Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Curtis & Schuler -- This one at least tells you some of the things that the baby is doing, which I like. I like this one better than 'what to expect'.

Gardening:

Great Garden Companions, by Sally Jean Cunningham. My mother-in-law Pat told me about this book then bought it for me! Thanks! I read it last Saturday morning (4/26/08). Yes, the whole book in one morning. It is so interesting and I cannot wait to plant some veggies!! Our weather has been crazy, going from 85 on day to 55 the next, I'm afraid that I'll kill anything I plant now, plus I also have to finish reading...
Deerproofing Your Yard & Garden, by Rhonda Massingham Hart. I've read the forward. Maybe I should start this instead of fooling around online. Naw... I'll read it tomorrow.

Some More

Picked it up in Portland: A Heart for Any Fate, by Linda Crew.
A book about pioneers traveling from Missouri to Oregon. Made me think of Columbia (haha, Sarah, that's for you) and of the pioneer stock cousin Ellen says we came from (better them than me, I'd be dead). I really like this book. Read it on the plane coming home. 5 hours, not too bad a read.

Short stories: Baltimore Noir, edited by Laura Lippman.
Picked it up because I like Laura Lippman. It was around Halloween. Actually, took it to OBX. Short stories about murder, other dark subjects (hence noir).

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