Latest Book Read and Picks for 2009

A week or so ago, I completed the latest book for my monthly book chat. Shattered Dreams by Irene Spencer.

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Irene Spencer grew up in a a fundamentalist Mormon family--the thirteenth of thirty-one children--so it was no surprise that she found herself, at sixteen years of age, in a plural marriage, sharing her husband with a half sister.

Enduring abject poverty, living in isolation, and suffering the neglect of a husband with divided loyalties created unbearable conditions. Yet, Irene managed to overcome these obstacles to seek a life that she believed would be better for her and her children. She made the bold step into the 'outside world' and into a freedom she never knew existed.

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Although this wasn't my favorite book all year, I did find parts of it very interesting. On a scale of 1-5, 5 being 'I loved it!', I rated it a 3.5. This book generated lots of conversation and views at our recent book chat. Most of the ladies present rated it a 4.

If definitely gives you a good look at a lifestyle that exists, but is foreign to most people.

In 2009, I'm the Book Chat Coordinator for my book club. For those of you who are interested, and enjoy reading the same books we're reading, here are our picks for 2009:

JAN - Audition: A Memoir by Barbara Walters

FEB - Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy

MAR - In An Instant by Lee and Bob Woodruff

APR - She Flew The Coup by Michael Lee West

MAY - Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez

JUN - Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

JUL - In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

AUG - The Darkest Night by Maria Sakry

SEP - The Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs

OCT - Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

NOV - Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby

DEC - Love Story by Erich Segal

Comments

[Donna]

Thanks for the book recommendation! I'm going to have to check that one out. I'm Mormon, so the fundamentalists are kind of fascinating to me. I read "Escape" by Carolyn Jessop a few months ago, and it was excellent.
I'm reading "Twilight" now. It's too bad you have to wait until next October to read it! It lives up to the hype and I'm really loving it!

[Carol Lindberg]

In An Instant is a great, motivational read-I absolutely loved it.

[Courtnay]

Thanks for the book list. I would also suggest One Thousand White Women, by Jim Fergus. We read it for our book club and it was one of the best books that I've read. I would not really suggest Twilight despite the hype, it's just an over the top teenage love story. Although it would be interesting to love struck teenagers. Should be a quick read though - one of those mindless books...
Thanks

[Pamela]

Hi Maria,
This message is for you. I would like you to read my book. The title is: The Troll Door, The Trunk & The Compass. It is a family friendly book for people of all ages. I have had a lot of positive feedback. I can mail you one or you can get it at Barnes & Noble online. It is about 5 siblings who go to stay with their Aunt on her farm for the summer. They get to have lots of adventures. These range from catching crawdads in the creek, to paddleboating on the pond, to sleeping in a tent in the front yard. One of the brothers explores the attic and finds a time-space travel compass in a trunk. He travels back in time and meets the scientist who invented the compass. From there the two of them travel to rescue the Aunt's fiance who is missing and lost on another world.
I have the sequel almost ready to publish. The sequel continues on and has a magic flying carpet and a dragon in it. The book is geared for 4th - 5th grade on up to adults. The adults love it as much as the kids. If you would like me to send it - just let me know. pam.devor@acs-inc.com.
Pamela

[Carolyn]

Those are some great books. I've read some of them and others are on my list. I have to say that I disagree with Courtnay up there about Twilight. It's not supposed to be an intellectual, deep book, but it's certainly not mindless. It's a very fun read!

[Meggan]

Hi Maria! Thank you so much for sharing your book list! I couldn't wait and so I grabbed Audition, Barbara Walter's Memoir, and in one week I had it read. She is truly an amazing person. The book was inspirational and surprisingly, a bit of a history lesson for me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Can't wait to read the rest of the books on your list!!
Thanks again,
Meggan

[1267887752]

Excellent article, I will take note. Many thanks for the story!