Monday, July 18, 2011

It's Monday 7/18! What Are You Reading?

July 18...summer is already half over!  We had a very busy week here, filled with doctor's appointments, errands, and running the kids all over.  Whatever happened to the lazy days of summer?

We did find some time for reading, however, especially this weekend:
  • I read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (my second time) in preparation for the last movie which we went to see on Sunday.  Both the book and movie were fabulous!  I was glad I had re-read the book because there were a lot of details left out or changed in the movie, and I was reminded of just how wonderful J.K. Rowlings' books are - by this weekend, I was at the point where I didn't want to do anything but read, and I didn't care what was left undone!  I've included a few photos here of Jamie's 8th birthday when we put together a big Harry Potter party and transformed our entire house into Hogwarts.  We recruited some friends to help play the roles of the professors (you can see everyone at the table in the Great Hall below; I was Professor McGonagall, on the right in the photo with Dumbledore and Snape).  The kids all had a blast, as did the adults!
  • Last night, I just started The Passage by Justin Cronin, a July birthday gift from my husband LAST summer that I have finally gotten around to reading.  I've just started it, but it seems intriguing so far.
  • My husband, Ken, is reading Room by Emma Donoghue, based on my recommendation.
  • Jamie, 16, is re-reading City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare, and he told me this morning which five books are next on his list!  He has it all planned out.
I finally started to catch up on my backlog of reviews last week, posting new reviews of Blood, Bones and Butter, a memoir by chef Gabrielle Hamilton, at Book By Book and  Deadly, a teen historical novel by Julie Chibarro.  I also posted my Top Ten Lists of Authors I'd Like to Meet and Kids'/Teen Authors I'd Like to Meet.

What are you and your family reading this week?

(What are you reading Monday is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.)

4 comments:

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

Oh no!!! Dont say Summer is half over (at least not out loud!) :) Its my favorite time of year! The Harry Potter pictures are too cool! How fun!

Lissa said...

oh, i loved room. i found the example of voice incredible. the passage is on my list to read to. i had it on my old e-reader, but now i am going to have to re-but it. maybe i'll get it in paperback, now that it's out. hope you enjoy it...

Andrea said...

Room is a book I've been toying with reading but haven't made up my mind whether to just go for it or not. I understand that is really good though so I guess I'll get the courage one of these days.

Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooks said...

Fun, fun, fun! Thanks so much for sharing the pics of Jamie's birthday party - it looks like blast (for the kids *and* adults involved).

Glad that you recommended ROOM to your husband; I wasn't sure I could handle it, but I've pushed it onto other readers as well.