Books Read: 2
Books Needed to Read: 98
#1 Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson
PLOT SUMMARY: A true story of a man who braves the wildest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan to build schools for children. An inspirational tale of how it only takes one man to make a difference in the world.
OPINION: Though this book was inspirational and informative, it is not an easy read! I found myself struggling to pick it up to read. I understand that there are a ton of people who love these sorts of novels, but I'm just not one of them! When I read, I like to not have to think so hard or else I feel like I'm still in school!
Ms. Listologist Grade: B
#2 Geurnsey Literary & Potato Peel Society, Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
PLOT SUMMARY: In 1946, a writer receives a letter from a stranger who is a member of the Geurnsey Literary & Potato Peel Society. This starts a wonderful tale of the island of Geurnsey during the German occupation. The book is comprised completely of letters written back and forth between the characters.
OPINION: I loved that this story was written in letter format, it made it an easier read. The story was nice, but nothing so intriguing that I just couldn't wait to see what happened next.
Ms. Listologist Grade: B+
I finally finished the book Three Cups of Tea and had my first book club (aka: girl talk & cocktail) meeting. We met at the book club organizers home, Tracy. She made a fun fondue with garlicky Caesar salad. The wine flowed freely, everyone seemed to have brought a bottle of their finest. We selected our next reads; Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society (our next book) by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows and The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski.
With the wine glasses full & bits of bread smothered in cheese, I was excited to start the intriguing dialogue about the book at hand. All was good…then…we learned that half of the group didn't finish the book…bubble popped. I would be lying if I didn't say I was a tad peeved that I spent the time to read every page (ok, maybe I skimmed the last 50 or so) when we only discussed it for 5 minutes and people weren't able to participate. The book was inspirational and informative, but not the easiest read ever! At least we had fondue and wine!
I have officially started to write a book. Not sure what the title will be but it will be a reference book with 1000 things to do before you die. I already have 916 great items and am working on the format. I am hoping to have a first draft by the end of the year! Any input would be great.
I just joined my first book club! Our first read is Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin. It is the true story of how one man promotes peace. Hmmm…I hope it's good! Our first club meeting is August 25th. OOH…that's soon…gotta go start reading!
I'm not sure exactly what you do in a book club. I mean, I understand that you read a book and discuss it. But, what do you really talk about? The characters, setting, plot…all of it? Sounds a lot like English class to me, which I was not fond of. We'll just have to see how it goes.
It still amazes me that I don't know how to speak Italian considering my mother was born in Italy and is completely fluent. Even more so because I lived with my grandmother and she barely spoke English for all of her 35 years in America. I have often asked my mother why she did not teach her children how to speak her heritage language at an age when it would have been so much easier for us to learn. She responded that when the family arrived to the United States on "the boat" they wanted so desperately to just be American and fit in. At that time, she was embarassed by her Italian culture, especially when she started 1st grade without speaking a lick of English. She did not want me to go through what she thought would be the same sort of embarassement. Oh, if hindsight was 20/20. Now, my whole family yearns for the Italian tradition that we once had; large Sunday lunches, homemade Italian Easter bread, afternoon siestas & vino with every meal (oh, I still do that one!).
I feel that learning Italian will somehow bring me closer to my grandmother who has since passed on. A way of better understanding her life and traditions. Possibly a way of carrying on these customs to honor her memory. I know it sounds alittle kooky, but who really can say how the mind works?
So far, I have taken 1 year of college Italian courses, did online study, read numerous books and listened to those redundant audio cds. Though I believe all have helped, none have enabled me to have a fluent conversation. Next on the list will be Rosetta Stone (the standard in language cds) and then living in Italy for at least 3 months.
I will speak Italian someday, I just hope that at that time there will be someone to talk to.
