Stories for Women: Musing Mondays

Another Musing Mondays prompt from Should be Reading:
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What do you think are the top 5 books every woman should read? (And for the men who might be playing today: What do you think are the top 5 books every man should read?)

Wow, that's a tall order. Let me start with the men. I need to be totally honest here. Although I read many genres, I tend to stick to stories with a strong female character or about female relationships. I simply find women more interesting and complex. No hate mail, please.

I'm occasionally surprised, and I'm always happy about it when I am. Recently, I read a great "guy" book: The Voynich Cypher. My husband loves Dan Brown, Robert Ludlum, Clive Cussler, and Tom Clancy. I've read at least one by each and give them props.

Now to women's literature. More problems (if you call these problems): I'm all over the place and have so many books I love.

My thoughts:

For Moms
Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions: A Journal of my Son's First Year. It doesn't matter if you have a son or daughter. Lamott offers us all an in-depth and raw look into honest Mom thoughts. No sugary, my-children-are-perfect stories here. I read this during my first daughter's first year, and it helped me own those moments where you feel less than worthy to be a parent.

For Moms of Girls
Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Not only did this book help me in my teenage years, it has also helped my tween daughter. It's timeless.


And, in a bit of shameless self-promotion, my book, Depression Cookies. It's a coming of age story from both the mother and daughter's perspectives (which I wrote with my own mother). It's journey through body image issues, stranger anxiety, emotional drama, and finding common ground. Moms and daughters can read it together and discuss the different perspectives and timeless teen issues.

For Fans of Historical Fiction
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross. I read this several years ago in my book club, and I was fascinated. It was the book that made me embrace historical fiction. And you can't ask for a stronger female character.

For Nonfiction Fans
James Fox's Five Sisters: The Langhornes of Virginia. The story focuses on Nancy Astor (married Waldorf Astor), Britain's first female MP, but includes all five sisters. It's female power and strength in spades. (My review)

A close second, if not a downright tie, is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. It shows the complexity of the female spirit and reads like fiction. (My review)


For Young Adult
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Yes, the subject matter is difficult, but it's an amazing book with a strong, memorable female lead. Although classified young adult, it's for teens and up.

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Only listing five doesn't seem fair (and I even snuck in two extra). I loved The Help, and all dog lovers should read The Art of Racing in the Rain. As far as classics, my all-time favorites are The Good Earth and A Separate Peace. And my go-to romance author is Nora Roberts, hands down.

What's your top book recommendation for women?

I can't wait to hop around and read others' opinions on this subject. If you are also interested, please check out the commenters here.

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Reading Wishes: Musing Mondays

I've missed a few Musing Mondays, so I'm glad to be back on track with today's Musing Monday prompt from Should be Reading.

What book do you wish you were reading right now? Where would you take it to, if you could go anywhere to read for a while?

When I read this question, my brain was immediately full to capacity. There are SO many books I want to read right now. One of these days, I'll take a picture of the piles of books laying around my house. By my bed, in my linen closet, on my closet floor, under my desk, on my desk, in the cabinets above my desk... and, of course, all the books on my Kindle.

If I had to choose just one, I'd have to go with Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. I loved Hunger Games and am beyond excited to see the movie. What better way to get back into the Katniss vibe than to read the final book of the series!

As far as where I'd read, I don't care. Honestly. If it's a good book, I get so lost in it that I'm wherever the author wants me to be. I just need any quiet corner, so I can immerse myself.

What's at the top of your to-be-read pile right now?

Choosing Favorites and Hunger Games Excitement: Day 4 in the 30 Day Book Meme

For some Friday fun, I'm continuing my 30 Day Book Meme.

Day Four: Favorite Book of Your Favorite Series

I listed my favorite series for Day 3:

1. Lord of the Rings
2. Hunger Games
3. Outlander

I would never attempt to pick a favorite in the Lord of the Rings series. First, I read them as a teenager (I really want to read them again!). Second, I loved them all. And I've read the first four (or five. I admit I've lost count) of the Outlander, and they get progressively better.

In Hunger Games, I've only read the first two so far. Mockingjay is beside my bed taunting me, but I haven't been able to pick it up. I loved Hunger Games! As soon as I was done, I rushed into Catching Fire. It was a bit disappointing. I've found I need to take a break between books sometimes, especially if I love the first.

And I'm so excited for the Hunger Games movie!! Have you seen this...

Jennifer Lawrence - Liam Hemsworth - Woody Harrelson - Elizabeth Banks - Josh Hutcherson - Stanley Tucci - Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

What's your favorite book in a beloved series?

Reading and Enjoying Series: Day 3 in the 30 Day Book Meme

For some Friday fun, I'm continuing my 30 Day Book Meme series.

Day Three: Your Favorite Series

Until a few years ago, I didn't read a lot of series. Instead, I tend to jump all over the genre and author choices when choosing books. But, I get the allure of sitting down with familiar characters and storyline.

The hardest part of any book is getting started. I don't know how agents judge an entire book by the first five pages. I need at least a few chapters to get into the reading groove.

Since becoming a mom, I find myself more drawn to series. I like having an immediate relationship with characters and increasing my chances I'll enjoy a book. Maybe it's Mommy brain and my increasing difficulty with focus.

My favorite series, in order:

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien - I read these in middle and high school. One of these days, I'd like to reread the series and appreciate them all over again.

2. Hunger Games Trilogy, Suzanne Collins - I've only read the first two, but Mockingjay is sitting by my bed taunting me. My daughter has already read all three and loved them.

3. Outlander Series, Diana Gabaldon - I read the first book just after giving birth to my third daughter in five years. I didn't connect to it, but kept hearing people talk about how much they loved the books. I figured I'd give book two a chance and sure enough... I really enjoyed it. I've read the first five so far.

I also enjoyed the City of Bones books, as has my daughter, but I wanted to name my top three and it just barely missed the cut.

What's your favorite series?

Also, it seems to me that series have become increasingly popular. Do you agree?

Related post: Day Two: A Book You've Read More than Three Times

Reading What the Cool Kids Read: Musing Mondays

Another Musing Mondays prompt from Should be Reading:

Are there any “raved reads” –books that everyone seems to be talking about– that you’re hoping to get read this year, yourself? What books are they, and why are you hoping to read them? Is it because you want to say you’ve read it? Or, would you have chosen to read it, even if you’d discovered it yourself, and no one was raving about it?

In my experience, overly-hyped or raved about books tend to disappoint. Too often these books come with a set of expectations few can live up to. I feel the same way about movies. But there are exceptions. When my book club raves about a book, I will definitely pick it up. Usually, we'll put the particular book in our rotation anyway.

I read Twilight before people were raving, and I'm so glad. I enjoyed it, but I would have gone in with a much more critical eye if everyone was talking about it. Same was true for the City of Bones trilogy.

To be fair, I read Hunger Games post-hype and still loved it. But I stalled after book two. My daughter just finished all three and is begging me to read Mockingjay so we can talk about it. Sharing with her is always a huge motivator!

For this year... I still want to read the much-hyped The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I already own the three books, but I'm hesitating. Can it live up to what everyone is saying?

I do love to chat with my friends about books, but most of them aren't reading what's in vogue. We usually pass titles around, but they aren't necessarily mainstream in popularity.

But, to be a little more hip in the book world, particularly since I have a teenager daughter who devours books and needs appropriate recommendations, I am joining one more (at least) reading challenge: 2012 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge. I'll have more details about this challenge on Wednesday.

What hyped book is on your must read list for 2012?

*****

Tomorrow, I'm thrilled to be hosting Sallie Lundy-Frommer who will be talking about her novel, Yesterday's Daughter, "an emotionally laden paranormal vampire romance novel woven with layers of betrayal, love and loss."

Please stop by!

City of Ashes, Cassandra Clare: The Saga Continues

Sequel syndrome, as I like to call it, often seems to most affect the second book in a series. I enjoyed the Twilight series, but found New Moon the weakest link. And after loving Hunger Games, I wanted more from Catching Fire. When an author has a multi-book arc in mind, the sophomore attempt always seems story-building, but not all that exciting.

So I started City of Ashes with trepidation. You can see my review of City of Bones in this blog. I liked it, but wasn't overwhelmed. City of Ashes continues the story of Clary, who's just beginning to understand her Shadowhunter powers. Her mother is dying, trapped in her own spell, and her father is evil and trying to recruit her brother to the dark side. Simply put, of course.

There's tons of action and the story moves forward at a wonderful speed, no boring story or time spent on too much character development. In my review of the first book, I stated wanting more story for Simon, Clary's friend that yearns to be more, and Luke, her "father" in all the real ways. I'm thrilled to say . . . Simon got his story! I'm running to get the next in the series, City of Glass, just to find out more about Simon. Luke is still under-developed, but you get more glimpses into his character in this sequel. Little to nothing, however, is revealed about Clary's mom, and I really hope that happens in City of Glass.

I'm a bit over this complicated "he's my brother, but I have deeper feelings for him" storyline. The reveal that Jace and Clary are not brother and sister seems obvious to me, but I'm eager to see how the author accomplishes it after spending two books exploiting the will they-won't they.

Overall, I'm impressed with this book, particularly judging it against other lackluster sequels I've read lately. I'm looking forward to reading the next two in the series.

*****

Upcoming reviews: Jackie Bach, our Junior Reviewer, will review Uglies and Pretties by Scott Westerfeld. Hmmmmm, wonder if my daughter will feel the way I do about sequels?