Books and summer

Had a lovely visit with D and her family last weekend. We took the kids to see "Nancy Drew" which was charming. Had several family meals. Went to Maple View Farms for homemade ice cream and spent time just chilling by the hotel pool. Saturday night D and I had a girls night and went to see "Pirates" (she hadn't seen it yet) and had a late dinner. They left after brunch on Sunday for the drive back home.

I also cashiered at the Summer Book Sale. Looks like it made over $20,000 and that's not too shabby for a two-day sale. But, it's so dangerous for me to do sorting and setup. I keep finding things that have to come home with me! Of course, I console myself with the idea that there are much worse obsessions. :)

Speaking of books, here are my latest reads:

#95 is If I Should Die Before I Wake by Han Nolan(June/07). A YA in which a teenage Neo-Nazi is gravely injured in an accident after a local hate crime. In her unconscious state she finds herself living the life of a Polish Jew during the Second World War. I'm always horrified anew to realize how terrible life was for the enemies of the Nazi state and this one reinforces that. There's also a nice little quasi-paranormal twist at the end.

#96 is Earthly Joys by Phillipa Gregory(June/07). This is the first Gregory that I've ever read. It deals with Stuart England post Elizabeth as seen through the eyes of a master gardener. Not a period of English history that I'm particularly familiar with, but the writing was engaging and I enjoyed the book. Not sure if I'll seek out the sequel however.

#97 is A Much Younger Man by Dianne Highbridge(June/07). A look at some of the issues involved when a woman becomes involved with the titular type of male.

#98 is Major Crush by Jennifer Echols(June/07). A charming look at life when you're the first female drum major in an Alabama high school with a longterm crush on your co-leader. A thoroughly pleasant way to spend a couple of hours on a summer afternoon.

Tomorrow is the last dual meet of the summer swim league season and it's against the toughest competition. Rumor is that two of our best swimmers won't be there and it's looking possible that the Piranhas might lose their first dual meet in five years. Keep your fingers crossed that everyone does their best.

Books and summer

Had a lovely visit with D and her family last weekend. We took the kids to see "Nancy Drew" which was charming. Had several family meals. Went to Maple View Farms for homemade ice cream and spent time just chilling by the hotel pool. Saturday night D and I had a girls night and went to see "Pirates" (she hadn't seen it yet) and had a late dinner. They left after brunch on Sunday for the drive back home.

I also cashiered at the Summer Book Sale. Looks like it made over $20,000 and that's not too shabby for a two-day sale. But, it's so dangerous for me to do sorting and setup. I keep finding things that have to come home with me! Of course, I console myself with the idea that there are much worse obsessions. :)

Speaking of books, here are my latest reads:

#95 is If I Should Die Before I Wake by Han Nolan(June/07). A YA in which a teenage Neo-Nazi is gravely injured in an accident after a local hate crime. In her unconscious state she finds herself living the life of a Polish Jew during the Second World War. I'm always horrified anew to realize how terrible life was for the enemies of the Nazi state and this one reinforces that. There's also a nice little quasi-paranormal twist at the end.

#96 is Earthly Joys by Phillipa Gregory(June/07). This is the first Gregory that I've ever read. It deals with Stuart England post Elizabeth as seen through the eyes of a master gardener. Not a period of English history that I'm particularly familiar with, but the writing was engaging and I enjoyed the book. Not sure if I'll seek out the sequel however.

#97 is A Much Younger Man by Dianne Highbridge(June/07). A look at some of the issues involved when a woman becomes involved with the titular type of male.

#98 is Major Crush by Jennifer Echols(June/07). A charming look at life when you're the first female drum major in an Alabama high school with a longterm crush on your co-leader. A thoroughly pleasant way to spend a couple of hours on a summer afternoon.

Tomorrow is the last dual meet of the summer swim league season and it's against the toughest competition. Rumor is that two of our best swimmers won't be there and it's looking possible that the Piranhas might lose their first dual meet in five years. Keep your fingers crossed that everyone does their best.