Turn The Page ... Tuesday

This was a Better World Books (BWB) purchase (for 2 or 3 bucks!) and I'm glad I didn't spend more than that on it. Let me clarify; You The Owner's Manual, is a humorous but informative look at our 'inner' most selves ... as in 'how your body works'. I realized that I pretty much knew all the high points already. Exercise, eat well, drink water ... I think this book would be great for someone who really wants to know more about how their body operates (and not in boring medical terms) and ways to maximize their health.

Letters of a Portuguese Nun was another BWB purchase. This books was good. Mariana's letters will make your heart ache ... but so will all the background information leading up to the letters. I love history. I love reading historical books ... this one at times was a bit dry but I see why it was necessary. I do have to admit her letters took me back in time (long before my darling DH). Such heart ache, such longing, such pain; only hers were truly more heartfelt than my teenage angst. :-p Mariana's were of a passion so deep and a feeling of abandonment so raw ... see Mariana was a nun and her lover a French military officer who was born to fight. It was a fairly enjoyable read but pick it up with caution - lots and lots of footnotes.



Have you ever read a book and you liked one of the supporting characters more than the lead? Well ... you can guess where this is going. The Middle Place is written by Kelly Corrigan and it's her story. She writes of growing up, getting married and becoming a mother, being diagnosed with breast cancer in her mid-thirties, and then of her father battling cancer at the same time as she. I liked her dad better. I feel so bad saying that. I'm sure Kelly is a lovely person and I cannot imagine what she went thru; after all, it was her book she could say whatever she wants to right? (kind of like blogging ...) I couldn't help but fall in love with her dad. He sounded like every ones hero - always happy, strong faith (never missed church), loved everyone he met and often crowned them with a nickname. I think what got me the most about this book and earned my admiration for her father was that he always kept the faith. When he and Kelly both recovered from their cancer his first remark was 'because of all the prayers' that were said for them ... one of the only times she didn't really agree with her dad. So with that said, I'm sure she is a great person, I just don't think we have much in common but that's ok. That's what makes the world go round ;-) I wishe her the best and that she remains in remission forever!!!!

My last book was another BWB score - and man did I hit it big. This was a TTPT book that Stacey reviewed. I had added it to the list because it sounded like a great read; and it was. I'm not going to duplicate her review - head on over there for more details. I will however tell you this - I loved it. I was in awe of the strength, perseverance and just plain will to survive of this family. I think you will be to ... and that's why I'm going to give this book away to one lucky commenter. Leave me a comment and make sure I know how to get in touch with you. I'll announce the winner on Sunday the 7th - that should give me enough time to get it in the mail to the lucky duck before Valentine's Day. I just love that TTPT has taken off and so many of you participate. This is just a little something to say thank you. I will say this book has seen better days - it is readable (pages aren't falling out) but in many places the text is highlighted and sometimes some commentary provided (ie: oh no! & uh oh).

My challenge to you all for next months TTPT - read a book that has been recommended by one of our TTPT participants. I don't know about you all but my list is getting longer each month - time to start making a dent in it.

For this months reads check out the following links:

Stacey

Jodi

Paula

Debi

Jill

Luci