Books

One of the defining features of a true vacation for me is getting lost in a good book.  Some trips we take as a family don't allow me the pleasure of reading because I am too busy being Mom to take the time out for myself to read.  On the other hand, when I allow myself the pleasure of reading a good book it is always a mini vacation no matter where I am.  This feeling is enhanced ten fold if my reading is not interrupted by changing diapers, sorting out arguments, helping with homework, or cooking meals.

Recently I have had two very nice book vacations.  First, a couple weeks ago I read "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer.  This is the adult science fiction by the author of the Twilight series.  I loved the Twilight series and though I was skeptical about reading a book about aliens, I loved the Host.  I am not sure I loved it as much as the Twilight series, but it kept me turning pages and wanting to know what would happen next.  

I read this book at home.  I read a bit here and there at first.  Then after about 250 pages or so I woke up at 6 am one morning and after putting whoever woke me up back to bed I started to read.  I kept reading.  I did have to stop to change a diaper or two.  I did have to put people down for naps.  But mostly I just read.  I didn't cook.  I didn't eat.  I didn't really move from my chair.  I just wanted to devour that book and do it all at once with as few interruptions as possible.  Thanks to my husband working from home and totally picking up my slack that day, I finished the 617 page book by dinner time and was able to "come home" from my mini vacation day and cook food for the family to eat.

Now Jon is reading the book and though he thinks parts are slow, I think he likes it overall.  I have been reading some of it to him out loud in the car as we have travelled and have been enjoying a second go round at it too.

So if you want a fun read that will help you explore what it truly is to be "human."  Take a mini vacation with the host.  It will help you see humanity and love through new eyes.

The second book I have vacationed with was The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.  This book came highly recommended by my sister and aunt to my mother.  I stole it from her before she could start it so I would have something to read on my trip to the family reunion in Aspen Grove, Utah.  Next to spending time with family, this book was the highlight of the trip for me.  Utah was pretty darn cold for June.  It snowed one day.  So I snuggled up with my book and enjoyed a rather crazy demented story of a fictional author's real life story.  

The book was very well written and kept me in suspense about the truth throughout.  The story line itself was ... well it kinda reminded me of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriela Garcia Marquez.  It was lots of crazy, somewhat uncomfortable relationships and events that were tied into one life story.  I told my husband the basic story after I finished and he kept saying "WHAT???  He did WHAT?  And you liked this book?"  But I have found that a really talented writer, like a really talented teacher can make almost anything interesting.  I was fairly engrossed in this novel and enjoyed my reading in the beautiful setting of the mountains.

Anybody out there got any suggestions on what to read?  I am sure I will be needing another "vacation" before too long.