52 books update

Counted the books I have read so far this year- 27- so it looks like I am on track to easily read 52 by the end of the year (unless I select a REALLY long book or one that takes a lot of time to get into and finish!). My book group met last night to discuss Loving Frank. First off I was really impressed with the book bag provided by the library near the office of my friend. Ten copies of the book, laminated pages with questions and an author biography. My friend said there is a shelf at the library with bags of book selections- maybe 20 or so….So if you can't decide what to pick for book group you can just scan the shelf and maybe something will catch your eye. Great idea which I am going to present to my library. The discussion was pretty good- people had taken the time to research Frank Lloyd Wright after reading the book to learn more about his life and work. All in all a good meeting and I was glad the book was picked as I probably would not have read it otherwise. I had picked it up and put it down many times while in the library and BN…..it didn't interest me but I am glad I read it. Our next book My Notorious Life which looks very interesting. I just requested it from the library. The dynamics of our book group will be changing come September. One of my friends, and the one who helped me start our group,

is moving to DC. Her husband has gotten a job and so they are off. Sad to see them go but they have not been happy here for sometime. One son lives in DC, the other in Providence, so it is not really surprising…. but still sad for the rest of us. It will be interesting to see how the group changes without her input. Sigh.

What's up with the 52 books, 52 weeks challenge ?

Finished a couple of books this past week. One was the book club selection, Loving Frank. We meet tomorrow night so I hope the discussion will be lively. I read two other books- The Husband's Secret and Lost Lake. I enjoyed both, in fact could not put either down….but I only gave each a 4 out of 5 star rating (Goodreads). Why? Well I guess I didn't think the ending was great. In The Husband's Secret it was an interesting ending but maybe a bit of a cop out…. In Lost Lake it was a bit predictable. I don't mind predictable in general but the story was pretty creative and mystical I think I expected the ending to be in the same vein.

Not sure how many books I have read this year but maybe it is time to take a count….I am pretty sure I am on track to read at least 52 by the end of December.

National Library Week and the Boston Marathon

Well I meant to post last week when it was National Library Week. That didn't go very well did it? Not that there was so much going on but I just didn't get around to writing anything. I was trying to finish Loving Frank (before the due date). Mission accomplished. One of my book buddies got a "bag of books" from the library near her office. At this library when your book club selects a book a patron can take out a bag of that book for the club…. I think it is a great idea. So I really needed to finish and return the book to my friend before Easter. I have also been trying to REALLY organize my sewing/craft area. Organizing is my holy grail. But I am making progress (not that anyone else can see it). I am just about done going through the bins of scraps and cutting and sorting into usable sizes. Takes time (and ironing) but at least now I don't have all these scraps overflowing from the bins. Comments on Loving Frank. I like the style of writing. I like using the letter format occasionally. What I didn't like was Frank- I don't know how much artistic license was taken but he was so self centered, arrogant, selfish….the ending caught me totally by surprise. At that point I had a bit more sympathy for Frank. Glad I read it, didn't love it. It was work to get through….Have started (and almost finished) The Husband's Secret. Lighter read. Today is the running of the Boston Marathon. My thoughts are with the runners after last year's horrible bombing. My daughter lives in Boston and will be watching- just not at the finish line.

Here is hoping it is an uneventful day- beautiful weather for it.