What Are You Reading?

I'm often asked what books I'm reading. Well, honestly, I don't have much time to spend on reading. It's not that I don't want to, it's just that there's not enough time. I'm a s-l-o-w reader.

I took the above stack of books on vacation recently. My goal was to read a book a day. Ha!

I read two and a half. It's hard to read when there are little kids playing in the water. Or playing badminton. Or flying kites. Or playing on the playground. Or playing Frisbee. Or football. All at the same time. Yes, with six children there are six different activities going on all at once. At all times.

Anyway, the books I like to read most often are juvenile books. They are quick reads and make me feel like I am accomplishing something. I can put it down for days or weeks and when I pick it back up, there is no long, twisted plot I have to try to remember.

So, what books are you reading? I'd love to hear. You know, in case I have some spare time ... Please share.

Comments

Emily said…
I am currently in the mids of Paul Theroux's Riding The Iron Rooster; a book I first came across way back in 1991 but did not read! I do collect his works and have quite a few titles of his on my bookshelves! But Iron Rooster is a borrowed copy.
9:20 AM EDT
Katie Jean said…
I've read a couple of the Kate White "mysteries." They're a quick read and somewhat funny. Plus they have them all at my library.
9:29 AM EDT
LunaMoonbeam said…
Hmm...I WISH I had something to read. I love youngish-fantasy. I've read all five of Stephanie Meyer's books, and I recently fell in love with a series by Cassandra Clare called Mortal Instruments.

Alas, I've already READ all those. I'm a fast reader (often to the detriment of the story line - I read the story, not the details. Doh!) I'm always looking for recommendations...
I've also recently joined GoodReads.com for EXACTLY this reason - I can list what I'm reading, what I've read, and rate them...and see what my friends have posted as well. Let me know if you join - I'll give you my profile info.
9:30 AM EDT
Stacey said…
Well, my list is pretty boring. I am reading a World Lit (Ancient Greece)and a Family and Community book. All for my college courses...no fun here!
9:43 AM EDT
Anonymous said…
I recently read Emily Giffin's Something Borrowed, waiting for the sequel to come along by bookmobile. My sister just gave me a good one about fostering called The Women Who Raised Me
9:49 AM EDT
Kat said…
Shannon Hale is great. I think "Book of a Thousand days" is my fave.

Readergirlz.com always has great ideas too.
9:59 AM EDT
Karyn said…
I'm not reading anything at the moment but I'm looking forward to reading Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series. The kids at school here can't stop raving about it!

(and how did you think you'd be able to read a book a day????) :)
10:00 AM EDT
Amanda Jean said…
I'm reading the first Harry Potter book, due to the extreme insistence of my husband. I read the back last night cover and realized I'm 10 years (!?!?!?!) behind the times. the only thing i can't figure out is why I am so surprised by that fact. I am enjoying it...it's easy reading....I like that.
10:13 AM EDT
Emily said…
Ooo...good books I've read recently include "The Book Thief", "And Only to Deceive", and "It Takes a Mother to Raise a Village". All good with no questionable content.
11:05 AM EDT
Anonymous said…
I'm also a fan of juvi lit for exactly those reasons. I'm re-visiting Louisa May Alcott at the moment. Currently on the nightstand is Little Men. Next up, Under the Lilacs. Aidin and I are also reading the latest Clarice Bean book by Lauren Child (Don't Look Now)- I love all the Britishisms in the text. Next up for her is The Tale of Desperaux, in anticipation of the movie coming out at Christmas.
11:45 AM EDT
Selina said…
I cheat ;) I listen to audio books. I am currently listening to White Gardenia by Belinda Alexandra
2:49 PM EDT
nikko said…
I finished "The Bonesetter's Daughter" by Amy Tan a week or so ago and now I'm reading "The History of Love" by Nicole Krauss. I would recommend both of them.
3:16 PM EDT
Freckled Hen said…
I, too, often read juvenile books. Like you said it makes sense with the kids underfoot. I love Ann Rinaldi a historical fiction writer for preteens. Also the "Dear America" books. I sometimes feel like a fraud as I learn many facts reading kids books, more than I retained from college!
4:27 PM EDT
Liz said…
I just finished The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Your older ones might enjoy it as a read aloud.
6:20 PM EDT
Beth said…
My favorite book of the year is Hugo Cabret (I see someone else mentioned it).

I saw A Series of Unfortunate Events in your stack (I LOVE!) -- you might like Jasper Fforde's series. They aren't juvenile but so funny and quick reads.

I have too many books in the house -- thinking about starting a book pay-it-forward.
6:48 PM EDT
Jo-Anne said…
Hi Lera!
I am reading The Book Thief right now. I am particluar to historical fiction. I love to read childrens books as well. When Ragan was little we read all the Junie B. Jones books together. They are so funny...your Spenser would love them. There are also books in The Dear America series that are fantastic.
6:51 PM EDT
Nikki Kimboko said…
Hi!
I just finished Nothanger Abbey by Jane Austen! nothing like a quicky Jane Austen book to get you feeling like you've read something!

also suggest my personal favorite, Persuasion

happy Reading!!!
nikki
7:27 PM EDT
Anonymous said…
Six kids and you still have time to read anything? That's pretty darn good. Juvenile wise, you've got the Little House books, and they're the best. I loved the Misty of Chincoteague books when I was growing up, too ... we visited there, and I actually started to weep when I saw the horses. But I digress - if you want to read a great (and quick) grown-up book, try The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. Wildly dysfunctional family, yet the book is still funny and uplifting somehow. Her family was so messed up that you will feel like mother of the year almost instantly. I did.
9:27 PM EDT
Anonymous said…
You've got to read Anne of Green Gables every couple of summers. It just slows you right down (mentally) to those old times, and the words are so evocative that you really are right there.
12:56 AM EDT
Preppy Pink Crocodile said…
Oh I love contemporary YA lit! Anything a 7th grade teacher would assign I will probably like too. Those books have the perfect combination of adult and children themes and story lines. And always lots of fun. Harry Potter of course but I've also read Secret Life of Bees like four or five times.
1:09 AM EDT
Kris said…
I love kids books too. I read and re-read all those classics like Little House, Little Women, the Katie books etc. There are some grown up books I enjoy too. The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith and the 44 Soctland Street series by the same author. I have always loved reading and I remember thinking the week after I had child number one, "I'll never read another book again!". Of course I did read another book, but it was a pretty scary thought at the time. Your kids all look pretty young. It does get better. I have eight, my youngest is 7, and I have a lot more time to myself now. After 20 years of having babies and little children it was really weird not to have a little kid at our house! Enjoy it, it really isn't long in the scheme of things. I am enjoying having older children. This year number 4 turned 18 so now half of my kids are adults. I too cheat with books on cd. It's not exactly the same as reading, but even the kids enjoy it!
3:47 AM EDT
FinnyKnits said…
I see your "Non-runner's Marathon Trainer" in there.

Sneaky, sneaky...

Right now I'm wading through The Host. It's fine. I read Bangkok 8, The Ridiculous Race, Illegal Action and Getting Stoned With Savages on vacay - all good.
2:01 PM EDT
hooli said…
I recently read a book that literally changed me. A Woman in Berlin. It's heavy, though. I recommend it to everyone who asks. So, you're just one of the many who will (well, maybe) read this on my account.
10:23 PM EDT
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