Recently read two young adults books- Dairy Queen and Off Season by Catherine Murdock. Really enjoyed both though sometimes I go into reading a sequel with some trepidation. I liked the writing style, I liked the characters and their development and I liked how the main character (DJ) sounded so real. Hope that Ms Murdock will write another.

The other night our book club met to discuss People of the Book. While most seemed to like the book, although not necessarily Hanna the main character (or her mother) it was difficult to generate much discussion. I enjoyed the way the book was set up- and how it went backwards in time to explain each artifact that was uncovered in the restoration. I did not feel it was necessary to have the ending include the question of authenticity. That took away something for me in the story. Next book is The Pick Up by Nadine Gordimer,

Today is Chocolate Cake Day!!

Back in January 2007 our group read Banker To The Poor: Micro-lending and the Battle Against World Poverty by Muhammad Yunus which is basically a story of the birth of micro credit. Even for those who struggle with economics this book easily explained the principle of loaning small amounts to small, start up businesses usually individuals. In catching up with the newspapers I came across a couple of articles which relate directly to this simple and fairly successful practice.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/26/your-money/26money.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB126055117322287513-lMyQjAxMTIwNjEwNTUxNTUxWj.html

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB123214794600191819-lMyQjAxMTIwMzIyMTEyNDE3Wj.html

"The Triumph of Readers" article in the Wall Street Journal (January 2009) I read while catching up on all the old newspapers. Thought it was quite interesting. Have always been a believer in the philosophy that it is better to read (almost) anything than not to read at all.

Holiday celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King.
Still a long way to go.

The twelve days of Christmas are over. The lights are off the tree. decorations are put away. Light snow all day. Perfect ending to the season.

I am really enjoying People of the Book. And I have several books that I received from my husband and kids for Christmas that I can't wait to read.
The Given Day (Dennis Lehane)
Olive Kitteridge (Elizabeth Strout)
The Piano Teacher (Janice Y. K. Lee)
The Tipping Point ( Malcolm Gladwell)
The Wednesday Sisters (Meg Waite Clayton)
Stones into School (Greg Mortenson)
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much (Allison Hoover Bartlett)
A Short History of Women (Kate Walbert)
So many books, so little time!

Happy New Year! Catching up on newspapers and read an article in the NY Times (Thursday Dec. 31,2009) on a revival of The Babysitters' Club books. I can remember when my daughter read these, and I read with her and to her, and how much she loved the series. We have lots of the books stored in the attic, well read, worn, torn covers, dog eared pages. Interesting to learn that many readers requested a reprinting so the books can be read by another generation. Also, it seems that Ann Martin will be writing a prequel to the series.