An Untamed State (Book 52)

An Untamed State
By 
Roxane Gay

Not my most favorite book on the Reading Blitz. It just seemed like and endless book on the abuse of the main character during a kidnapping in Haiti. (And I know that was precisely the point of the book. Just got old after 370 pages of it).

Not to take away from the rave reviews from other sites on Roxane Gay's work. She clearly is a good writer. It was more the fact that the main character (Mireille Duval Jameson) drove me crazy. None the less, for those that like an intense read this book could be for you. You just have to get over the blood and abuse quickly, because every page is filled with it. 

The Enchanted (Book 51)

The Enchanted

By

Rene Denfeld

Let me start this posting by saying that Rene Denfeld's debut novel blew me away. It wasn't a complicated read, yet it was delicate and precise in every word written. Her attention to detail and the mystery of the story drew you in as a reader and the only escape was the fact that the book was 233 pages long! 

The genius of her writing was the natural ability to let the story end where it needed to end. Sometimes, I feel that certain authors will write endless paragraphs (only for the sake of making a thicker book). Denfeld was brilliant. B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T

I would recommend this book to anyone...regardless if you like the topic of a death row in a high security prison.

Christmas and Dickens (Books 48,49,50)

I felt it was appropriate to include Charles Dickens on this Reading Blitz. Since I was in the merry month of December..Dickens fit nicely with a Christmas theme. The Christmas stories weren't as big as some of his other titles (Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, Tale of Two Cities) but they were deeply rich words from a classic hand.

Book 48, A Christmas Carol

Book 49, Holiday Romance

Book 50, Christmas Stories

A Christmas Carol was largely the most popular (thanks to Hollywood) and read beautifully. The others were a little more time compressed with Old English language, but were still classic Dickens!

I believe I will try to add another classic Dickens novel this year. We will see! However, I would recommend Dickens. His work has lasted the test of time for a reason!

Kaleb (Book 4 and 5)

A Dog Called Kitty                                                     I Survived Pompeii
By Bill Wallace                                                            By Lauren Tarshis

Kaleb finished book  4 and 5 on his reading blitz...it is noted that Lauren Tarshis "I survived" series is a popular one with grade school kids. I know it's a personal favorite of both boys!

Kaleb was gifted a ton of new books from Grandma, so we will start to see those books creep into the reading blitz picture!

Kadyn (book 7,8,9)

Kadyn has been on a roll! He's been reading a few Gary Paulsen books for school, along with a reading project about Hurricane Katrina. The Hunger Games took him a little longer to chew through, but he is getting ready to start the second of the trilogy! Nine books (thus far) on his reading blitz! Not Bad!

Chronicle of a Death Foretold (Book 47)

Chronicle of a Death Foretold

By

Gabiel Garcia Marquez

I have to be honest in this blog and admit that the soul reason I read Marquez was to make up for my failure to read it in my World Literature class in college. Frankly, I skimmed it and lazily tried to convince my professor that I had read the pages.

Years later I return to this little gem of a book and glad that I made up for lost time by pausing and going back to wonders from the past. How many of us can admit doing this? I would suggest going back to the Moby Dicks, Great Expectations, and the Grapes of Wrath of our past. Whatever classic book we skipped over or whatever Cliff Notes we decided to help us skate by and avoid soaking in the message of thicker fiction.

Every time I go back and take on one of these skipped books, my literary heart gets rewarded! 

And so....Chronicle of a Death Foretold is added to the reading blitz.

Dry Bones In The Valley (Book 46)

Dry Bones In The Valley

By

Tom Bouman

Every once in a while I'll pick up one of those books that grab me. This is one of those books...its fast moving and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you might lose interest the plot takes a turn and the action takes off! Good Stuff! I wouldn't place it on the 'earth changing' literature section of my reading shelf, however; it's worth a quick twenty-four hour read. Honestly, it worked perfect for a reading blitz!

The Immortal Life of HELA (Book 45)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

By

Rebecca Skloot

I'm not a huge Non-Fiction fan. In fact, I typically try and avoid too much Non-Fiction so I can stay trapped into my little fantasy world. 

However, Skloot had my world tipped upside down, screaming FOUL, FOUL, FOUL!!!!! It was like a version of Dateline entrapped in the pages of a book. 

This book will blow your mind and open your world of conspiracy theory to all new levels! Only...it wasn't a theory! Henrietta Lacks was a real person. 

The research was well done and the writing was right there with it! Great book for #45!

Gone Girl (Book 44)

Gone Girl

 By

Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn has grown quite a cult following thanks to this little gem of a book (now a movie on the big screen) and it goes to show what good writing can do for Hollywood.

I like suspense and thrillers and Flynn didn't disappoint. I would highly recommend reading her books.

(Side note...I have been trying for months to read Sharp Objects and Dark Places and have placed my name on the beloved waiting list at the public library) If that isn't a clue on how wide her popularity has grown? 

I went to the book store twice and had her paper back version in my hand ready to buy and patience has overcome me. So...I wait, wait, wait all the live long day! 

My suggestion to anyone pondering if they should read her books? Just do it! Join the discussion at least (even if you dislike the common suspense novel).

The Marriage Plot (Book 43)

"The Marriage Plot"

By

Jeffrey Eugenides

I originally planned on reading Middlesex by Eugenides. However, when I was waltzing around Barnes and Noble I encountered his latest book and felt the urge to read it. 

I hear it's no comparison to his earlier work, but I wouldn't know. So, I attacked book number 43 in the blitz and the pages melted in my hand. (Hey, I got in touch with my feminine side. So what.) It has a decent love story to it (along with the wicked love triangle) and kept my interest peaked. (Not bad considering I usually go running for cover in the Science Fiction section of the Library! 

It made for a faster read as I am reading The Bourne Trilogy side by side with my other books. I blame my ADD. What? Huh? Squirrel! 

I liked Eugenides. He's worth a read over a nice warm cup of Joe!

House of Small Shadows (Book 42)

The House of Small Shadows

By

Adam Nevill

 

 

My first book by Nevill and without disappointment! Nevill has earned a reputation as a "Horror Genius" and has won countless awards around the genre.

Adding his latest book to my reading blitz was a creepy delight. The book is twisted (to say the least) and to make this a simple blog post I will keep it to a one word description.

"Creepy"

Between dolls and puppets, I don't know what creeps me out more!??

Unbroken (Book 41)

UNBROKEN
by
Laura Hillenbrand

Soon to be a break out film about former American Olympic Track star, WWII Vet and Japanese P.O.W. survivor, Louis Zamperini. 

The story has a wow factor simply from it being a true story! The story is unbelievable and yet TRUE. It's worth a read and hold on to the end! My gut has a feeling that director Angelina Jolie is going to hold to the original story as closely as possible! (Not to forget mentioning that Jolie and Zamperini were neighbors for years WITHOUT knowing each other!) Crazy!

Do yourself a favor and read the book before going to the movie!

Bird Box (Book 40)

"Bird Box"

By

Josh Malerman

Whoa. This book is a huge whoa. In other words...it freaked me out. I read it in a few hours...seriously. I couldn't put it down and I am in complete understanding WHY this book is a finalist for Good Reads "Top Horror Fiction 2014" 

 

California (Book 39)

"California"
By
Edan Lepucki

What do you follow a book about Alaska with? Ding Ding Ding! California!!!!!! No, the book really doesn't have much to do with the state of California as it does with the name "California", as in Cal, Calvin or California. You'd have to read it to catch it. 

It's one more Post-Apocalyptic book for the ages, so take note! However, Lepucki is brilliant! Fantastic writer.

Looking For Alaska (Book 38)

"Looking for Alaska"

By

John Green

I have some catching up to do with my reading blog! I read this book a few months ago and finally have a chance to get it recorded in the blog! Yikes!

I found this book enchanting. I know....it might be an overused Disney term, so maybe the word "mysterious" fits the book better? Alaska is one of those big mysterious wonders of the world...matching remote parts of the ocean and deep space...possibly? 

John Green takes us on this wild trip deep into the adventurous parts of Alaska where no man goes! (or maybe they go but never return...seriously.)

Bears and more bears, dog sled racing, whales, natives and more!

The Cuckoo's Calling (Book 37)

"The Cuckoo's Calling"

By

Robert Galbraith

J.K. Rowling writing as Robert Galbraith was really too much to pass up on my latest reading blitz! We all are familiar with Harry Potter, but this time Rowling unveils the witty and heroic detective figure of Cormoran Strike. Move over Sherlock Holmes, we have ourselves the newest and latest Private Detective. 

Being a fan of Sir Conan Doyle, I would say (with caution) that J.K. Rowling is diving into a new genre and putting herself into close proximity with the Sherlock Holmes legend himself....especially with her second Galbraith novel on the loose.

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane (Book 36)

"The Ocean At The End Of The Lane"

By

Neil Gaiman

Magical and mind sweeping. It's not a big book, but it packs a fairly good punch in less than 200 pages! Gaiman really does a fantastic job sweeping you into his little fantasy world. Besides being magical, the word "mysterious" fits the book.

The String Diaries (Book 35)

"The String Diaries" by Stephen Lloyd Jones

I have always loved history and even though most of the book was based on Historical Hungarian Fiction, I still found it fascinating! A mixture of history and bone chilling horror as a serial killing monster chases down and haunts a family over a century (and literally across the world).

There were times that I literally could not put the book down (I was that freaked out). Great book!

Lock In (Book 34)

Lock In

By

John Scalzi

Book number 34 on the reading blitz turned out to be a head spinner! I picked up this book (mainly to make an educated vote for the GoodReads awards! Shame on me for falling behind on some of 2014's finest "movers and shakers!" 

Scalzi's "Lock In" is being nominated for some of this years best fiction and I have to admit that my mind was a bit overwhelmed! I felt like I was reading a modern version of Isaac Asimov. (John...believe me that is a compliment). I was lost for the first 50 or so pages, but once I learned the lingo and the terminology I was back into the thick of the plot! 

It's a good book and I would recommend NOT putting it down until you understand where Scalzi is taking you. At times he is simply on a different plain as an author but does enough explaining (along the way) to bring the reader up to speed!

Baldacci's "Will Robie" Series (Book 31,32 and 33)

David Baldacci certainly grabs my attention as a reader and I can certainly understand the reason for this... he develops characters. He gets the reader to fall in love with his character in the opening few chapters of the book and the rest is history.

In this case, I fell in love with the main character Will Robie. Maybe I had a dream once to be a CIA special agent, swept away in the thrill of the mission? Maybe I dreamed of spying and moving in to save the country from the next greatest threat? Either way I highly suggest the Will Robie series for the reader who is caught up in the thrill of action, yet the curiosity of espionage.

31. The Innocent (Will Robie #1)
32. The Hit          (Will Robie #2)
33. The Target     (Will Robie #3)

Happy Halloween!

I posted earlier in the month that I was going to dedicate my reading and blogging blitz for October to horror books! Ah yes....the classic macabre! Before I list the books I want to mention a few things. First, this is not a top 10 list of the world's best horror written in the last century! I obviously tried to fit in some of the best written classics, but failed miserably as the 31st quickly approached. Three authors I missed (shame on me) were Poe, Koontz, and Bradford. Ugggh! 

Second, I had a few repeats in the author section! Honorable mention goes out to Joe Hill (son of Stephen King) for getting two books in October and being my favorite author thus far through the blitz. Seriously, watch out Dad! We have a master coming up through the ranks. Second honorable mention goes to Bram Stoker! (Go figure. Especially when a writing award is named after you.) 

Third, I had a few new authors thrown into the mix and I would highly suggest reading their book. Applause for Nick Cutter and M.R. Carey. 

Reading Blitz for October "Fright Night Month Theme"

18. "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

19. "Dracula's Guest" by Bram Stoker

20. "Heart Shaped Box" by Joe Hill 

21. "Horns" by Joe Hill

22. "Mr. Mercedes" by Stephen King

23. "The Troop" by Nick Cutter

24. "At the Mountains of Madness" by H.P. Lovecraft

25. "Legend of Sleepy Hollow"  by Washington Irving

26. "Mr. B Gone" by Clive Barker

27. "The Girl With All The Gifts" by M.R. Carey

28. "Dark Matter" by Peter Straub

29. "The Turn Of The Screw" by Henry James

30. "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

Kadyn (Book 6)

"My Side Of The Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

Based off a kid who runs away from home and lives off the wilderness

Kadyn (Book 5)

"A Week In The Woods" by Andrew Clements

A book on a spoiled student changed by a camping trip

License Renewed (Book 17)

"License Renewed" by John Gardner

John Gardner's first book in a series of 007 James Bond masterpiece!

I loved James Bond and I love Gardner's fast pace, yet delicate and careful writing style. 

I've been downloading several books for free using "Openlibrary.org" which is a marvelous online lending library! It's free. Give it a try.

Gardner's complete James Bond collection can be found on OpenLibrary! You can find every genre and every author! What a great site! Happy Reading! 

Kaleb (Book 3)

"The Story of George Washington Carver" By Eva Moore

Holy Peanuts Batman! 

Kaleb read this in his reading group at school! So, it totally counts!

Kadyn (Book 4)

"Stat" by Amar'e Stoudemire

Written by New York Knick (Amar'e Stoudemire) about a basketball tournament. 

Basketball Baby! 

Kadyn (Book 3)

"A Boy No More" By Harry Mazer

A boys Dad dies in the battle of Pearl Harbor and learns about life without his father.

October Horror Fest!

I decided to celebrate horror fiction and writing through out the month of October and on Halloween will post the horror fiction read during the reading blitz! A mixture of modern day scare and some old classic by Poe and company! Should be an interesting month of reading! 

Stephen King generally leads the charge with Koontz not far behind, but I have found Stephen King to be losing ground to a NEW up and comer! JOE HILL.....which irony couldn't be written any better. The Master of Horror's own son! King can only blame himself, as I'm sure he certainly warped the young Joe Hill's mind as he was growing up! 

It's a great month to cozy up under a blanket and read a little fright night! Try some Bram Stoker, Kate Shelly, Clive Barker, Poe or Lovecraft! 

The furious longing of God (Book 16)

"The Furious Longing of God" by Brennan Manning

Brennan Manning changed my viewpoint on Grace with his book "Raggamuffin Gospel" and upon learning of his passing (this past year) I felt it was appropriate to read a book in his memory. As being part of a larger world full of mixed baggage, I find his view of God compelling, and full of fresh air from the legalistic voices leading the far right (and far left..for that matter). This isn't a religious blog, but anyone soul searching, or crying out for mercy and asking the great question of "Is there a God?" And if so..."Who is He?" Or "What is this complicated thing called Grace?" should read his work. 

Manning is straight forward in this book and its a great read...especially for those working on patching the damage done from organized religion and the church.

We're a messy people! 

The OZ kick! (Book 12,13,14 and 15)

I have fallen behind with the blitz and need to combine some of my posts. So, here is a post dedicated to L. Frank Baum and his genius behind the "Wizard of OZ". Who would have thought that so many hidden political ideas would be behind the disguise of a children's book series? But that is exactly what Baum had intended! Genius! Everyone got behind the original story when Judy Garland came popping out of the tornado-ridden home in her bright blue dress! Not to mention color movies were in very short order back in that time period. It was magical! And somewhere...over the rainbow...people began to believe that "dreams come true" and "there's no place like home". In fact, the Wizard of Oz proved to be so powerful that Gregory Maguire wrote his fabulous version in the "Wicked" series. So, riding the coat tails of success, came along two broadway musicals (the Wiz, and Wicked) and other large screen adaptations through Disney and others. 

So, here in order are the books read during the blitz.

12." Wicked (the life and times of the wicked witch of the west)" by Gregory Maguire

13. "The Marvelous Land of OZ " by L. Frank Baum

14. "Dorothy and the Wizard of OZ" by L. Frank Baum

15. "Ozma of Oz" by L. Frank Baum 

And if you haven't ventured down the "yellow brick road" to learn more about the story of OZ, let me encourage you. The story line completely surpasses Dorothy and her first journey to the Land of Oz. It's worth the journey! 

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (Book 11)

"Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" By Ben Fountain

National Book Award Finalist (2012) 

It's being called a modern day classic by practically everyone! And besides being a finalist for the National Book Award, Ben Fountain took away the PEN/Hemingway Award, the Barnes and Noble Discover Award for Fiction, and a Whiting Writers' Award for this book.

Naturally, with that much press, I had to add it to my reading blitz! I had to slow down and chew this book a little more, but it was WORTH IT! I had to try extremely hard NOT to visualize Jerry Jones as the main antagonist written as "Norm" but it was a nice touch having the Dallas Cowboy's game as the setting. 

Kadyn (Book 2)

"Mr. Tucket" by Gary Paulsen

Part of a series featuring the main character Mr. Tucket

A train trip to Oregon, a Kidnapping, what else to get a young reader going?! 

Kaleb (Book 2)

"Dolphin Tale" adapted and written by Gabrielle Reyes

A junior novel based on the hit movie! An injured dolphin (the tail being damaged by a crab trab) has its tail amputated and is nursed back to health using a man-made tail. Crazy true story! You can actually visit the dolphin down in Florida. 

Kaleb on the roll! 

Wild at Heart (Book 10)

"Wild At Heart" by John Eldredge

Timely read for a guy going through guy stuff. I've read multiple reviews on GOODREADS and must admit I could care less if its viewed sexist, religious right, or just plain 50's mentality. The one thing that sticks out in my individual personality is the need to take risk, take chances, and make life more than simply existing, living and breathing, wasting space and time. 

I don't agree 100% with Eldredge, but I rarely agree with ANYONE. He makes a compelling case regardless. 

AND....I could care less really what people think. BOOK 10 completed "Thank You"

Kaleb (Book 1)

"James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl

Kaleb has a few more books coming along, but finished this one the other day at school. He was excited to finally complete it! 

The classic "Giant Peach" book! 

It was awesome to see Kaleb get wrapped up in reading this book and my hope is "wapped up in reading". Isn't that just peachy!? : ) 

The Martian (Book 9)

"The Martian" by Andy Weir

Take "Cast Away" and mix it with "Gravity" and you have the book "The Martian"

Not a bad start for Andy Weir's first novel. Holy Cow I read this in two days! Fast moving thriller that lived up to Amazon's Editor Pick's Top 25. Really? How about Top 10....hands down.

There is no doubt this will be a movie. 

If you love science, space, mixed with a littele sci-fi thriller...this book is for you! Put it in your "to-read" list.

Made a great read for book nine in the reading blitz 2014

No Time For Goodbye (Book 8)

"No Time For Goodbye" by Linwood Barclay

Another Barclay book to fill the time! He's usually a quick thrilling read and this book was no exception. Caught myself browsing the book shelves in Barnes and Noble in Sioux Falls, SD and fill prey to another Barclay book. "Oh well!" 

I had fun with this book as my wife wanted me to narrate to her, so she could enjoy the book too! So, rolling through the South Dakota landscape together we finished "No Time For Goodbye"

If you like suspense, fast-paced action thrillers....I highly suggest Barclay. 

On the Road (Book 7)

"On the Road" by Jack Kerouac

Listed as one of the "Top 100 novels to read before you die" and listed as one of the classic's of our time, I quickly added it to my reading blitz. 

Fairly chewy book with a "much a do about nothing"

It wasn't that I didn't find the book interesting, but there were times where I grew a little bored of all the kid-like, drunken episodes of car stealing and girl gawking. 

It was written as one continous piece and often times the long run on sentences would rule the day...(must have been a Beat Generation thing...coined by Kerouac himself) here is an example.

So in America when the sun goes down and I sit on the old broken-down river pier watching the long, long skies over New Jersey and sense all that raw land that rolls in one unbelievable huge bulge over to the West Coast, and all that road going, all the people dreaming in the immensity of it, and in Iowa I know by now the children must be crying in the land where they let the children cry, and tonight the stars'll be out, and don't you know that God is Pooh Bear? the evening star must be drooping and shedding her sparkler sims on the prairie, which is just before the coming of complete night that blesses the earth, darkens all rivers, cups the peaks and folds the final shore in, and nobody, nobody knows what's going to happen to anybody besides the forlorn rags of growing old, I think of Dean Moriarty, I even think of old Dean Moriarty the father we never found, I think of Dean Moriarty.

Now...that's a sentence! 

The BEES (Book 6)

"THE BEES" by Laline Paull

Watership Down modernized from rabbits into Bee's! Brilliant!

I enjoyed this tale of survival from a perspective of a sanitation worker bee (Flora 717). It made my blitz reading list as a suggestion from the Amazon's Top 25 in 2014. I would suggest it! The book is a light read, especially several chapters in when the action begins to take off! Who would have known that a little bee would captivate me? 

Last Night in Twisted River (Book 5)

Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving

Not my favorite book and way too many political undertones. Again, this isn't a review but just a simple note. 

I chose John Irving for his other books ( The World According to Garp and The Cider House Rules) but with Twisted River coming out...I thought I'd get a jump on it. Honestly, the book need only be 300 pages...it was brilliant at times and pathetically slow and boring in other places. Seriously, John, if you didn't have a little Hawkeye blood in you (from attending Iowa) I'd go a little further in putting your endless food thoughts to shame. Believe me...no matter how much Cookie played a role in the book...it was endless. 

Joyland (Book 4)

"Joyland" by Stephen King

Not my favorite of King's work. However, it was a fun, enjoyable, thriller. It really took you back to the old boardwalk amusement park feel (which isn't a total give away hinting the title and setting of the book.)

King seems to be in hyperdrive these days, pimping out books left and right. His books are always imaginative, and if you read enough of them you"ll see some of the same antagonist from other books rear their ugly little heads again. 

Mad River (Book 3)

I've been wanting to read the work of ( Minnesota Native ) John Sanford for a few years, but for one reason or another some other book would catch my eye or I couldn't track down his first book in his famous 'Prey Series' (the series I really want to get into). 

This time I happened to be at a conference in Detroit, and spotted John Sanford's latest book Mad River in the airport book store. I thought to myself "what the heck...it's not part of his Prey series, but I've always wanted to read his work".  I'll be honest, you really can't go wrong with John Sanford. He's a fantastic, edge of your seat, kind of writer and was perfect for getting through a five and half hour flight. 

Though I don't really do reviews on this blog, I can say with certainty that if you are looking for a quick, fast moving read, I suggest Mad River! Especially if you live in South West Minnesota. You might be surprised to see your home town in Sanford's book. 

Blood Oath (book 2)

"Blood Oath" by Christopher Farnsworth

I discovered this book at a local small town "crazy day" special. Basically, a sidewalk sale in front of an older book shop. The title caught my eye, and I was in the mood for a quick, lighter, entertaining read this time around. The book basically centers around vampires and one specifically that has sworn an oath to protect the President of the United States. The Secret Service has never looked so "secretive" as they are portrayed in this book. Vampires and the corrupt Goverment...oh my! 

Kadyn (Book 1)

My oldest son finished his first book in the reading blitz!

How exciting! And his younger brother isn't far behind (I'll be posting his book soon!)

"I survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011" by Lauren Tarshis

Kadyn loves this series of "I survived" books. Scholastic publishing provides this for school age kids and I highly recommend them! They teach and keep the younger reader engaged. 

Also, get your kids involved in reading! I challenged my boys to read as many books in a year and at the end of that year I would pay them a dollar for every book read! Now....I know that no amount of money can be placed on the value and enjoyment of simply reading, but here is what I've observed since challenging my 9 and 11 year old. 

*excitement to read

*a shift in excitement for the book rather than the money.

*they can't wait to read AND they have a hard time putting the books down! 

Yes...I was tricky. Whatever it takes! ; )

The Killer (book 1)

"The Killer" by Tom Wood

I was introduced to this book by a book seller in Fairfield, Minnesota. I asked him if he was aware of any underground, moving, thrillers? He handed me Tom Wood's book. I have to agree that I felt his work was fast moving, mostly brilliant, and quite addictive for the espionage freaks outthere! If you like Robert Ludlum (Jason Bourne Series) you would become an instant fan.

Along other notes I friended Tom Wood via social networking and can say that he comes off as a humble author and appreciates his readers feedback. I would say its worth a read!

Reading Blitz! 9/1/14 - 9/1/15

A few years ago I came across this book "Tolstoy and the Purple Chair" and it inspired me to take on a 365 day reading challenge reading one book/novel a day for a year. Needless to say that I fell enormously short of that goal (60 books read) it STILL was a larger number of books than I had previously read in a year than any other time in my life. In short, it wasn't the number of books that I read, but the renewed love and passion for reading, public libraries, and your standard used book store! I found myself reconnecting to an art that passes generations. Since that time I had established this blog (that I let linger a little too long in digital land...collecting cyber-dust) and have renewed it for another year long adventure in reading! My challenge to you, as a fellow reader, is to join me through this journey 9/1/14 - 9/1/15 and document, journal or blog your reading blitz! I have several books that I will be blogging in the next few days that I already have recently read to jump start the blitz. BUT....even more exciting is that my two boys (ages 9 and 11) have accepted the challenge and will be adding their list to my blog as we venture down this reading blitz together! I hope you join us! Ready set Read!