A Few Words

Just a few words to describe the last five or six days around here.

1. Books. The Spring Reading Thing is up to 171 participants, as I write this. And I don’t know how you people do it, but there are already 34 book reviews up. I’ve been enjoying reading all the participants’ lists, discovering new bloggers who love to read, finding books that look too intriguing to pass up (and subsequently adding them to my Amazon wish list). You may have noticed that I’ve also been posting a number of book reviews / giveaways / blog tours. Clearly I said “yes” several times in a row to blog tour announcements and found myself doing a whole bunch at once. Yes, “books” accurately describes a good chunk of my mindset lately.

2. Waiting. We have been waiting (and waiting and waiting…) for a window to be cut into our cement block basement as part of our remodel / finishing down there. The masonry guy has scheduled a “digging and cutting day” three or four times… and has canceled each one. He told us he was coming this morning. But it’s 9:36 and we’re still waiting. No sign of the backhoe. I need to go to the grocery store. I need to go buy paint. Yet we wait. I really want this little part of the project over with.

3. Snot. I’m sorry if the use of that word offends you, but believe me, it’s accurate. Several times yesterday, L. came over to me and handed me a booger. The glamour of being a mother is sometimes overwhelming. But I suppose it’s better that he brings them to me, rather than hiding them somewhere where I’ll come across them later. I try to keep up with the nose-wiping, it’s obvious that I’m falling behind. He’s been sniffly and coughing since last Tuesday; I’ve been sniffly and coughing since last Friday. We’re both quite ready for this illness to leave us.

4. Cold. Actually, today could almost be classified as “warm,” but it was rather chilly over the weekend. Despite the sub-freezing temperatures, we arranged for a (very brief) egg hunt for the kids last Saturday. C. was in charge of finding the eggs we had painted; L. was given the task of collecting plastic eggs. They were both wildly successful and we quickly ran inside before our fingers fell off from the frostbite.

Spring Reading Thing 2008: Book Reviews


This post is where you can submit links to any book reviews you do for the books you’re reading as part of the Spring Reading Thing 2008. A few guidelines:

1. This is only for Spring Reading Thing 2008 participants. If you haven’t signed up yet, please go HERE to find out what it’s all about, create your own Spring Reading Thing blog post, and then go HERE to sign up.

2. Please link to the specific post that contains your review — not your general blog web address. Links to a general blog address / blog front page will be deleted.

3. Please limit your entries to books you’ve read this spring and have included on your Spring Reading Thing post.

4. Please keep your reviews family-friendly. I realize some books may have some touchy or difficult subjects, but please keep your reviews “clean.”

5. This is completely voluntary! You are in no way required to do reviews of your books or to link them up here. This is just a convenient place to gather reviews, so that all those interested can check them out.

6. I think the best way to do this is to put the book name and your name in the “name” section of the Mr. Linky: something like “Ender’s Game (Katrina)”. Of course, you can do it however you want, but that will make it easy for people to decide which reviews they want to read.

While I’m sure it won’t be necessary, I reserve the right to delete links that don’t adhere to these little “rules.”

Thanks, everyone! I look forward to seeing the reviews!


1. Surprised By Joy (Sheila~To Love, Honor and Vacuum)
2. A Woman’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare(Eden~Air Force Family)
3. Healing Promises (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
4. Five Sacred Crossings (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
5. The Shack (Shauna)
6. Playing For Pizza (RPL Communications)
7. Tiger Lillie (Wifey @ The At-Home Life)
8. Kim: The Magic Circle
9. “Mater Biscuit (Kim: Page After Page)
10. PS, I Love You (Holly)
11. It’s All About Us (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
12. Artemis Fowl (eva)
13. Spa Treatments for Your Body and Soul (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
14. “Oceans Apart” (Kari @ Just Another Day in Paradise)
15. If I Were You (Karen @ Breathe In, Breathe Out)
16. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (Juli-Can I Borrow Your Book?)
17. Don’t Bet Against Me! (Holly)
18. Feather in the Storm (Julie P @ Booking Mama)
19. Michelle
20. For Pete’s Sake (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
21. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Juli-Can I Borrow Your Book?)
22. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and The Old Man and the Sea (eva)
23. The Beautiful Fight (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
24. The Sister (Darcie)
25. the Sovereign’s Daughter (ausjenny)
26. Truffles by the sea(ausjenny)
27. Finding Hollywood Nobody (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
28. Identical Strangers (Holly)
29. The Yada Yada Prayer Group (Angie @ Book Escape)
30. Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident (eva)
31. Kim (Zel)
32. The Restorer’s Journey by Sharon Hinck (Barbara H. @ Stray Thoughts)
33. Kim (Funny in Farsi)
34. She Always Wore Red (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
35. Sifted Heart
36. Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code (eva)
37. Heather P.
38. Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception (eva)
39. For Pete’s Sake (My Friend Amy)
40. Blood Ties at Mytwoblessings)
41. Carpe Demon (Holly)
42. Circle of Friends (Maria @ Maria Reads)
43. The Emotionally Destructive Relationship (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
44. You Can Childproof Your Home… (Wifey @ The At-Home Life)
45. Carrot Cake Murder (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
46. Take Someone Like Me (Karen @ Breathe In, Breathe Out)
47. An Actual Live (Kim)
48. Betrayed (Lynnae’s Bookshelf)
49. A Fire Within (eva)
50. KIm (Letters From Rapunzel)
51. Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony (eva)
52. Half-Moon Investigations (eva)
53. The Opposite of Fate (jenn)
54. Twilight (jenn)
55. life on the refrigerator door (jenn)
56. Ruby Slippers (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
57. Kissed the Girls & Made Them Cry (Laura)
58. French Women Don’t Get Fat (RPL Communications)
59. Wild Swans (Holly)
60. Caught in a Bind (Mark)
61. Mistaken Identity (Queen B)
62. Mistaken Identity (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
63. Christ The Lord: The Road to Cana (Jill @ The Magic Lasso)
64. Hideaway (eva)
65. Mog’s book blog
66. Vanish (Karen @ Breathe In, Breathe Out)
67. Sweet Caroline (PattieRWR)
68. Hollywood Nobody (PattieRWR)
69. Dragon Slippers (Megan)
70. The First Patient (alisonwonderland)
71. Sisterchicks on the Loose (Angie @ Book Escape)
72. The Crystal Tree (Kim)
73. “The Shack” (Kari @ Just Another Day in Paradise)
74. Silver Needle Murder (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
75. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
76. “Soul Surfer” (Kari @ Just Another Day in Paradise)
77. First the Dead (twiga)
78. Safe Haven and Last Resort (eva)
79. Stealing Heaven (Megan)
80. Killer Mousse (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
81. Year of Wonders (Becky at Fond of Books)
82. Becca (Tales From Indiana)
83. Chris (The Busy Mom’s devotional)
84. Life Management for Busy Women (Laura)
85. My Enemy’s Cradle (Faith)
86. Fool Me Twice (Karlene)
87. The Tale of Holly How (Angie)
88. Murder on the Orient Express (Lora @ my blessed life)
89. Pillars of the Earth (The Whitcomb Family)
90. God’s Gift (eva)
91. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (eva)
92. Abide with Me (Gretchen)
93. Broken for You (Gretchen)
94. Remember Me(Kim)
95. Great and Terrible Beauty (Darcie)
96. Ky (The Girl Who Stopped Swimming)
97. Jane Austen – A Life (Tonia @ Sunny Patch)
98. Duty and Desire (Holly)
99. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (eva)
100. Someday (kardel @ escapades unlimited)
101. Dangerous Surrender (Lora @ my blessed life)
102. I Heart Bloomberg (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
103. Rekindling the Romance (The Whitcomb Family
104. French Women For All Seasons (RPL Communications)
105. Every Secret Thing (eva)
106. The God of Small Things (Juli @ Can I Borrow Your Book?)
107. Niki’s Ventures (Walking the Trail)
108. The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly (Much Ado)
109. When Zeffie Got a Clue @ Book Splurge
110. Adam (~Ley)
111. Stuck in the Middle (Queen B)
112. Water for Elephants (Bitsy)
113. A Walk wih Jane Austen (Jeanette)
114. The Perfect Life (Queen B)
115. After Hours at the Almost Home (Julie P @ Booking Mama)
116. Plum Lovin’ (The Whitcomb Family)
117. Mr. Pip (RPL Communications)
118. These Three Remain (Holly)
119. A Midwife’s Tale (Jana-sidetrack’d)
120. (Kim) Into the Wild
121. The poems of Emily Dickinson (eva)
122. Change of Heart (Jill @ The Magic Lasso)
123. A Tisket, a Tasket, a Fancy Stolen Casket (Mark)
124. Flyte (cat)
125. Tisha (Kim)
126. A Great and Terrible Beauty (cat)
127. The Outlaws of Sherwood (cat)
128. Fablehaven (Maw Books
129. People of the Book (alisonwonderland)
130. Mansfield Park (Barbara H. )
131. Agony Angel (Karen @ Breathe In, Breathe Out)
132. Change of Heart (Susan @ Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books)
133. Becky (Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank)
134. Maximum Ride Extreme Sports Book #3
135. Maximum Ride Final Warning – James Patterson
136. The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien (eva)
137. “Sisters, Ink” (Kari @ Just Another Day in Paradise)
138. Becky (Stardust)
139. Family Baggage (Julie B)
140. Blue Hole Back Home (Deena @ My Bookshelf
141. Heather-The Other Boleyn Girl
142. Choosing Your Faith (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
143. Mud City (Maw Books)
144. Becca (2nd review)
145. The Secret History (Alix)
146. Mog. ‘The Thirteenth Tale’
147. Leah Courtney
148. Kill Me If You Can (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
149. In Search of Eden (eva)
150. Murder is Binding (Angie)
151. Messenger (Juli~Can I Borrow Your Book?)
152. Taming Rafe (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
153. Talk of the Town (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
154. Kabul Beauty School (Juli-Can I Borrow Your Book?)
155. The Yiddish Policemen’s Union (Jill @ The Magic Lasso)
156. Courting Emma (Rel @ RelzReviewz)
157. Searching For Spice (Rel @ RelzReviewz)
158. Par for the Course (Rel @ RelzReviewz)
159. She Always Wore Red (Rel @ RelzReviewz)
160. As High as the Heavens (Rel @ RelzReviewz)
161. The Book of Bright Ideas (Julie P@Booking Mama
162. Sense and Sensibility (Jeanette)
163. The Sleepy Reader(The Reluctant Fundamentalist)
164. The Sleepy Reader(Mayada, Daughter of Iraq)
165. God Said Yes (KT @ Books For Teens)
166. Caleb Pascal and the Peculiar People (Book Kid @ Book Kid Reviews)
167. Becky (Beezus and Ramona)
168. Kaleidscope Eyes & Shattered Justice (MJ)
169. DragonSpell (MJ)
170. When Zeffie Got A Clue (MJ)
171. Tale of Hilltop Farm (TopazTook)
172. Suite Francaise (TopazTook)
173. Trouble the Water (My Friend Amy)
174. Feint of Art (Mark)
175. The Beet Queen (Megan)
176. Trouble the Water (Lynnae)
177. A Thousand Splendid Suns (Jeanette)
178. ellen b (Before Green Gables)
179. Feathers (Jeanette)
180. Becky (Ramona the Pest)
181. Wash and Die (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
182. Becky (Camilla by Fanny Burney, 1796)
183. The Impartial Recorder (RPL Communications)
184. Becky (Ramona the Brave)
185. March (Jill @ The Magic Lasso)
186. The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet (Karen @ Breathe In, Breathe Out)
187. Between Sundays (escapades unlimited)
188. Becky (Ramona and Her Father)
189. Luscious Lemon (Kim)
190. When Calls the Heart (Laura)
191. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (Alix)
192. Digging to America (Jill @ The Magic Lasso)
193. Angie
194. The Duchess and the Dragon (Angie)
195. The Fruit of My Lipstick (Deena @ My Bookshelf)
196. For the Sake of Elena (Jeanette)
197. Gretchen (Adelaide Piper)
198. Gretchen (Adelaide Piper) permalink!
199. Chocolat (Holly)
200. Ella Enchanted (eva)
201. Be my neat-heart (eva)
202. Area 51 by Robert Doherty (This Redhead Reads)
203. Beezus and Ramona (Jeanette)
204. Sense and Sensibility (Ronnica)
205. Austenland (Jeanette)
206. Sisterchicks Do the Hula (Angie @ Book Escape)
207. Respectable Sins (Ronnica)
208. The Next Thing On My List (RPL Communications)
209. Speak (alisonwonderland)
210. Saving Levi (Amanda @ A Patchwork of Books)
211. Primitive Secrets (Mark)
212. American Sphinx (eva)
213. Uncharted (Barbara H. )
214. The Birds & The Bees (Karen @ Breathe In, Breathe Out)
215. Sun & Moon, Ice & Snow (Karlene)
216. Speak and Fever 1793 (Megan)
217. Stoner’s Crossing (eva)
218. Expecting Adam (Kim)
219. Sister of the Bride (Kim)
220. The Mephisto Club (Karen @ Breathe In, Breathe Out)
221. Kim- (Snow)
222. For the Love of Mike (Angie)
223. Acts of Violets (Angie)
224. These Three Remain (cat)
225. Duty and Desire (cat)
226. Rebel Angels (cat)
227. The Thirteenth Tale (cat)
228. The Stone Fey (cat)
229. Homeschooling For Excellence (Amy B)
230. Skizzer -giveaway too!
231. The Kindness of Strangers (Julie P @ Booking Mama
232. The Eyre Affair (eva)
233. Journey From Head to Heart (Julie P. @ Booking Mama)
234. Amber Morn (Lynnae’s Bookshelf)
235. Flyboys: A True Story of Courage (eva)
236. a Frontier Courtship (Ausjenny)
237. her Unlikely Family(Ausjenny)
238. Trouble the Water(Ausjenny)
239. Ryann Watters and the Kings Sword(Ausjenny)
240. Death on a deadline(Ausjenny)
241. The schoolmasters bride(Ausjenny)
242. Winter Haven (ausjenny)
243. I am the Only Running Footman (Jeanette)
244. Halos (eva)
245. Stop Acting Like A Christian Just Be One (Laura)
246. House of Order Handbook (Jeanette)
247. A Family of Value (Amy B)
248. The Titan’s Curse (Amanda@A Patchwork of Books)
249. The Winding Ways Quilt (Holly)
250. Rules (Jeanette)
251. All in One Place (Laura)
252. The Giver and Bridge to Terabithia (eva)
253. The Jane Austen Book Club (RPL Communications)
254. ellen b.(Gentian Hill-Goudge)
255. Mr. Fooster…(Julie P @ Booking Mama)
256. Lora (Daphne Du Marier books)
257. L is for Lawless (Jeanette)
258. Seeds of Hope (eva)
259. The Secret of Lost Things (Kristi)
260. Change of Heart (alisonwonderland)
261. The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax (Mark)
262. The Chocolate War (Jeanette)
263. The Matchmaker (Karen @ Breathe In, Breathe Out)
264. Mog.’Revelation’.
265. Marley & Me (Jill @ The Magic Lasso)
266. Snapshot (3 Cups of Tea & Symphony of Secrets)
267. Jennifer (The Middle Place)
268. Jennifer (TheWoman Who is Always Tan)
269. Kingscote (eva)
270. Betrayed (eva)
271. Love, Sex & Lasting Relationships (Laura)
272. Scrambled Eggs at Midnight (Alix)
273. The Sleepy Reader(The Lace Reader)
274. The Sleepy Reader(Belong to Me)
275. Act Two: A Novel in Perfect Pitch (Book Splurge)
276. Ginny {Carpe Demon}
277. Homeschool Success Stories (Amy B)
278. Deep Dish (Bitsy)
279. 02-Breathing New Life into Faith
280. Deception (Twiga)
281. The Sweet Far Thing (cat)
282. The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets (Holly)
283. It’s a Mall World After All (Jeanette)
284. Out of the Dust (eva)
285. Prince Caspian (Ronnica)
286. Family Tree (Julie @ Booking Mama)
287. Having a Mary Spirit (Twiga)
288. Be My Neat-Heart (Laura)
289. The Way of Women (eva)
290. A wolf’s Story (Amydeanne)
291. Mariner’s Compass (Kristi)
292. Sex God (Laura)
293. 13th Reality (Inksplasher)
294. Never Too Late (eva)
295. Welcome to Higby (Kim)
296. Austenland (RPL Communications)
297. Adoniram Judson biography (Ronnica)
298. A Suspicion of Strawberries (Angie)
299. Killer Mousse (Mark)
300. The Camel Bookmobile (alisonwonderland )
301. Time After Time (Karen @ Breathe In, Breathe Out)
302. The Forbidden by Beverly Lewis (Barbara H.)
303. The Widows of Eden (Megan)
304. Sushi for One? (Twiga)
305. Johnny Be Good (Karen @ Breathe In, Breathe Out)
306. Bread Alone (Holly)
307. The Black Dove (Mark)
308. The Secret Scroll (Julie P @ Booking Mama)
309. The Blue Sword (cat)
310. Bulls Island (Bitsy)
311. Austenland (cat)
312. The Creative Family (cat)
313. Death of a Garage Sale Newbie (Angie)
314. Red Dragon Codex (Inksplasher)
315. Professor Winshicker’s Book of Proper Etiquette for Well-Mannered Sycophants (In
316. Animal Vegetable Miracle (jenn)
317. Pocketful of Pinecones (Amy B)
318. Finding Hollywood Nobody (Give Away and Review!) Amy B
319. Elizabeth I of Royal Princess Diaries (Amy B)
320. Bizenghast 1 (Rhinoa)
321. Bizenghast v2 (Rhinoa)
322. Bizenghast 3 (Rhinoa)
323. Bizenghast 4 (Rhinoa)
324. Return to Labyrinth (Rhinoa)
325. Return to Labyrinth 2 (Rhinoa)
326. Legends of the Dark Crystal (Rhinoa)
327. Curse of the Spellmans (Mark)
328. Lost Souls (Julie P. @ Booking Mama)
329. The Secret of Lost Things (Julie P. @ Booking Mama)
330. 5 sacred crossings (amy)
331. The Price We Paid (Jeanette)
332. The House of the Spirits (Juli: Can I Borrow Your Book?)
333. Amy(The Gargoyle)
334. Caught Redhanded (Mark)
335. It’s A Wrap (Karen @ Breathe In, Breathe Out)
336. A Thousand Splendid Suns (alisonwonderland)
337. Dying for Chocolate (Bitsy)
338. Seizure (Twiga)
339. Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible (Twiga)
340. Tending Roses (Holly)
341. Dickens Fur Coat (Tonia)
342. Someday (Jane-Much Ado)
343. Wake up, I’m Fat!
344. Wake up, I’m Fat! (Holly)
345. Chocolate kisses for couples (amydeanne)
346. The Blind Assassin (Juli: Can I Borrow Your Book?)
347. Physik (cat)
348. Gift from the Sea (cat)
349. Mog
350. Mog The Revolt of the Eaglets
351. Healing Promises by Amy Wallace (giveaway)
352. Tramp for the Lord (Ronnica)
353. Hunter’s Bride (Laura)
354. The Host (Holly)
355. Uglies (Juli: Can I Borrow Your Book?)
356. The Solitary Envoy (eva)
357. Esther and Ruth (Jane-Much Ado)
358. California Demon (Holly)
359. The Gawgon and The Boy (eva)
360. Matrimony (Julie P @ Booking Mama)
361. Gypsy Rizka (eva)
362. 1st to Die (Bitsy)
363. The Translator (Natasha @ Maw Books)
364. I Am the Messenger (Natasha @ Maw Books)
365. Criss Cross (Natasha @ Maw Books)
366. A Season of Grace (eva)
367. Exit Strategy (cjh)
368. Demons Are A Ghoul’s Best Friend (cjh)
369. To The Nines(cjh)
370. Ten Big Ones (cjh)
371. Eleven On Top (cjh)
372. Twelve Sharp (cjh)
373. Second Opinion (eva)
374. Queen of the Castle (Jeanette)
375. ellen b (Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter)
376. The Chocolate Lovers’ Club (Holly)
377. The Seven Longings of the Human Heart (Lora @ my blessed life)
378. Escape (eva)
379. Season of Sacrifice
380. You Mean that isn’t in the Bible? (amydeanne)
381. Parsnips in Snow; Katya; Great Transformation (TopazTook)
382. Going Solo (eva)
383. Half of a Yellow Sun (Kristi)
384. Killing Floor (krin)
385. The Attraction (krin)
386. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (krin)
387. Secrets, Lies and Alibis (eva)
388. Dawn’s Light by Terri Blackstock (Barbara H.)
389. Rekindled (eva)
390. Number the Stars (Kristi)
391. Love Thy Neighbor (eva)
392. Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History (alisonwonderland)
393. The Redemption (Angie)
394. The Professor’s House (eva)
395. Mrs. Darcy’s Dilemma (Holly)
396. The Baker’s Apprentice (Holly)
397. The Listener (eva)
398. pussreboots (Harriet the Spy)
399. The Venetian Mask (Julie P @ Booking Mama)
400. The Italian (Jeanette)
401. Eden Hall (Angie)
402. The Second Rescue (Jeanette)
403. The Tender Bar (Bitsy)
404. Gretchen 3 reviews
405. Spa treatments for your body and Soul -amydeanne
406. Twilight (cat)
407. Book of a Thousand Days (cat)
408. The Subtle Knife (eva)
409. Grayson (Angie)
410. The Language of the Sycamores (Holly)
411. Andrea (Just Jane)
412. Expecting Adam (pussreboots)
413. Memory Keeper’s Daughter (Pattie)
414. Drenched in Light (Holly)
415. Season of Sacrifice (Holly)
416. Princess Academy (Natasha @ Maw Books)
417. Water for Elephants (Kristi)
418. The Secret of Us (Pattie)
419. Challenge Wrap-Up (Kristi)
420. Amy(When Answers Aren’t Enough)
421. Amy(The Cellist of Sarajevo)
422. I, Mona Lisa (Juli: Can I Borrow Your Book?)
423. Magic Study (Juli: Can I Borrow Your Book?)
424. The Other Side of Truth (eva)
425. The Jane Austen Handbook (cat)
426. The Secret Garden (cat)
427. Water: Tales of Elemental Spirits (cat)
428. Sisterchicks Go Brit! (Bitsy)
429. Mog
430. Tell Me, Pretty Maiden (Mark)
431. Leah
432. soul surfer (eva)
433. Blue Heart Blessed by Susan Meissner (Pattie)
434. alisonwonderland (Dairy Queen)
435. Good Hope Road (Holly)
436. Peril at End House (eva)
437. I am a Mother (Jeanette)
438. Oh My Stars (Julie B)
439. Hidden Talents (eva)
440. Night Light (Mark)
441. A Great and Terrible Beauty (Megan)
442. Sisterchicks Go Brit! (Barbara H.)
443. How To Say No To a Stubborn Habit (Barbara H.)
444. What she left for me (eva)
445. A Walk with Jane Austen (Holly)
446. The Noble Fugitive (eva)
447. Pretties (Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books)
448. Specials (Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books)
449. Property (Jill @ The Magic Lasso)
450. We the Purple (Shauna)
451. The Reincarnationist (Julie P @ Booking Mama)
452. Ask Again Later(Amy@ The Sleepy Reader
453. Killing Bridezilla (Mark)
454. Mr. Monk in Outer Space (Angie)
455. The Willoughbys (Jeanette)
456. 5 Min for Books (The Host)
457. A Cup of Tea (Holly)
458. The Shack (Andrea)
459. Leah
460. Murder is Binding (Mark)
461. Never Have Your Dog Stuffed (pussreboots)
462. For Whom the Bell Tolls (eva)
463. Rowan of Rin (eva)
464. Runemarks (Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books)
465. Amy(The Wednesday Sisters)
466. Your Chariot Awaits (Mark)
467. A Woman’s Place (Holly)
468. Final Curtain (Mark)
469. Three Plays by Euripides (eva)
470. Kim-(wrap up post)
471. Mr. Monk Goes to Germany (Mark)
472. Sunsets (Jane-Much Ado)
473. Love in the time of Cholera (Jane-Much Ado)
474. The Supernaturalists (eva)
475. Velvet Elvis (Lora @ my blessed life)
476. Forged in the Refiner’s Fire (Karlene/Inksplasher)
477. Rules of Engagement (Karlene/Inksplasher)
478. Season of Sacrifice (Karlene/Inksplasher)
479. The Host (Karlene/Inksplasher)
480. Fablehaven #3 (Karlene/Inksplasher)
481. The 13th Reality (Karlene/Inksplasher)
482. Pushing Up Daisies (Mark)
483. Family Squeeze (Mocha with Linda)
484. She Always Wore Red (Mocha with Linda)
485. Breathing Grace (Mocha with Linda)
486. The Red Tent (Maria)
487. The Three Musketeers (Maria)
488. Pope Joan (Maria)
489. Matilda (Maria)
490. Seven for a Secret (Maria)
491. Mrs. Darcy’s Dilemma (Maria)
492. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Maria)
493. Wild Swans (Maria)
494. No Compromise (Maria)
495. The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (Maria)
496. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Maria)
497. Water for Elephants (Maria)
498. The Poisonwood Bible (Maria)
499. Hell for the Holidays (Mark)
500. Susan (The Year of Fog)
501. Sherrie(Until You)

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Spring Reading Thing 2008: Ready, Set, Go!

Update: Spring Reading Thing 2008 has come to a close. If you are looking for the Mr. Linky where you can link up to your wrap-up post, please visit This Post. Thanks!

Welcome to the Spring Reading Thing 2008! You might not be able to tell by looking out my window, but spring has indeed arrived. Are you ready to read? I sure am!

I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone’s reading this spring, discovering some new authors and stumbling across some old favorites. I’m also looking forward to digging into my pile of books, finishing several nonfiction books, savoring some novels.

Whatever you’re reading, I hope you enjoy each and every book!

Here’s a brief recap of how to be a part of the Spring Reading Thing 2008:

Make a list of books you want to read (or finish reading) this spring. Your list can be as long or as short as you’d like.

Write a blog post containing your list and submit it to this post using the Mr. Linky below. (Please do not put your name on the Mr. Linky before you have your post done, and please link directly to your Spring Reading Thing post. If you don’t, your entry will be deleted. Read this post for more information.)

Get reading! The challenge goes from today, March 20th, through June 19th.

Check out other participants’ lists and add to your own to-read-someday pile!

If you’re so inclined, write reviews of the books you read along the way.

Write a post about your challenge experience in June, telling us all about whether you reached your goals and how the Spring Reading Thing went for you.

There’s a Mr. Linky at the end of this post. Please use it to link to your blog post containing your Spring Reading Thing list. Remember to link to your specific post, not just your general blog homepage. People will be stopping by for days (or weeks!) and when you link to your specific post, it will make it easier for everyone to find your reading list. Also, if you don’t mind, please link back here from your post so that your readers can come check out all the other participants.

So post your list, grab a mug of your favorite beverage, and check out all the other bloggers who love to read as much as you do!

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Prize Information:

Don’t forget, I’ll be choosing one random participant at the end of the challenge to receive a $10 gift certificate to Amazon.com. To be eligible, you need to post your initial reading list (and sign up on the Mr. Linky) by midnight (EST) on Tuesday, March 25th, and post a recap of your Spring Reading Thing experience (and link up) by midnight on June 24th.

Note: There is NO limit to when people can sign up to participate in the Spring Reading Thing. You’re welcome to join in any time! The “deadlines” are only for prize eligibility.

I’ll also be holding weekly book giveaways sponsored by Bethany House and Revell Books. The first one will be held next Thursday, March 27th.

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Watch for a Spring Reading Thing Reviews post, which I’ll put up tomorrow. It will have a Mr. Linky where you can link up to any reviews you write about your Spring Reading Thing books.

That should cover all the details. Link up below and let’s get reading!

Note: Sign-ups are now closed. Thanks for participating!


1. Katrina (Callapidder Days)
2. Jennifer, Snapshot
3. Doris (Katrina\’s Mom)
4. Jane (Much Ado)
5. Thea @ I\’m a Drama Mama
6. Deborah (books, movies, and Chinese Food
7. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings
8. Lana G!
9. Lindsay
10. Pattie (the fresh-brewed reader)
11. Debi
12. Jeanette
13. stephanie @ Punkin\’ Press
14. Jana (sidetrack\’d)
15. Barbara H.
16. Beth@sportsmomma (with a giveaway!)
17. Kara
18. Sheila ~ To Love, Honor and Vacuum
19. Tami
20. Nise\’
21. ellen b
22. Carolyn
23. Deanna
24. Heidi
25. Kim
26. Tonia
27. Annie
28. ~Ley (one Stern among a million)
29. Chris @ Come to the table
30. MJ
31. Juli (Can I Borrow Your Book?)
32. Heidi @ ReviewsbyHeidi
33. Bitsy@Bloggin Bits
34. Briana
35. Niki M. in AZ, USA
36. Rachel (RPL Communications)
37. MizB (The Book Zone)
38. Becky\’s Book Review
39. Shauna
40. Christine (Life Is a Polka)
41. Gail
42. Jen @nyisutter\’s Scribbles
43. CeeCee (Book Splurge)
44. Kim: page after page
45. escapades unlimited
46. Eden (Air Force Family)
47. Mocha with Linda
48. LInda(Faithfulgrace)
49. Alicia @ AmbientSolace
50. Lynnae
51. Annette
52. Susanne(Living2Tell)
53. Kodelle@the lazy reader
54. Deena @ My Bookshelf
55. KT @ Books 4 Teens (Deena\’s daughter)
56. Book Kid @ Book Kid Reviews
57. Kari ~Just Another Day in Paradise
58. Mark @ Random Ramblings from Sunny Southern CA
59. Wifey (The At-Home Life)
60. gautami tripathy @ My Own Little Reading Room
61. Amy/Malady
62. Eva
63. TopazTook
64. Jenni
65. Tami (Treeswing Reading)
66. Lindsay @ The Ink Spot
67. Liz (Discovering Liz)
68. Amy(The Sleepy Reader)
69. Heather
70. Karen (Breathe In, Breathe Out)
71. Robin of My Two Blessings
72. Susan (Bloggin\’ \’Bout Books)
73. Twiga
74. Serendipity (I Must Confess)
75. Midas (Win Free Books Here)
76. Stephanie (Confessions Of a Book-A-Holic)
77. Kelly at A Spacious Place
78. Gretchen (goodenough4now)
79. Holly (2 Kids and Tired Books)
80. Christa (Blakeyblog)
81. Lauren@Baseballs&Bows
82. Abi B.
83. Katie
84. Amanda (A Patchwork of Books)
85. alisonwonderland
86. BeckyB (In the Pages)
87
. Maria @ Maria Reads
88. Megan @ Leafing Through Life
89. jenn
90. Melissa @ Breath of Life
91. Lora @ My Blessed Life
92. Devildogwife
93. Lisa writes…
94. Brittanie (A Book Lover)
95. Dynamic Uno
96. Maw Books
97. Ruth
98. Lena
99. Queen B
100. Ellie (ever changing, yet still the same)
101. Faith
102. Butterbean
103. Sonya
104. Renee\’
105. Hyperactive Lu
106. Mrs S
107. chris at shamrocksongs
108. Ronnica (Tale of a Kansas Girl)
109. J. Kaye (Book Blog)
110. Nathaniel S.
111. Renee (Life At Aspen Trail Hill)
112. Angie (Book Escape)
113. Rel @ RelzReviewz
114. Jill in Atlanta
115. So Many Books… So Little Time
116. Megan
117. Sasha (Life Goes On…)
118. Ausjenny
119. Momala
120. Becky (Fond of Books)
121. De\’Etta @Choosing Joy
122. My Friend Amy
123. Jill (The Magic Lasso)
124. Julie P. (Booking Mama)
125. tricia
126. cat (Fuzz In My Fingers)
127. Sherry
128. Vader\’s Mom
129. karen(a time for everything)
130. lace (keeping my fingers crossed)
131. Leah @Love Grows Best
132. Dianne (Unfinished Work)
133. Shalee
134. Ramblings of a scrappin\’ SAHM – Annie
135. Mel\’s World with Melissa Mashburn
136. Sherida aka sheriduh
137. creativelitlerad
138. Michelle
139. Sheri
140. Terri at Teachable Spirit
141. Christina (Ardently Book Reviews)
142. The Bluestocking Guide
143. Laurie
144. Becca (Tales From Indiana)
145. Selima
146. Jenny at My Buckling Bookshelf
147. Cheryl @ 2911 Promise
148. Andie
149. ="_blank">Darcie (ReadingDerby)
150. My Scrappin\’ Space – Heather
151. Kara
152. SweetCharity
153. Cyndy@Walking Faithfully
154. Karlene
155. Melanie @ Life Is A Marathon
156. Heidi @ Life in Pink
157. Cyndee@Riezzee\’s Place
158. Andrea (Elliott Academy of Excellence)
159. Jilly
160. krin
161. Leah Courtney
162. Margaret
163. Tiffany
164. Wendy
165. Julie
166. MommaSmurf (Pressing On)
167. Monica
168. Heather (Joyful Wandering)
169. 3m
170. Rhinoa (Rhinoa\’s Ramblings)
171. Sifted Heart
172. Alix
173. Tons of Sons
174. Suzi
175. Laura
176. Carrie
177. Ken
178. Audrey
179. Angie
180. Lena
181. CJHill
182. Magda
183. After a cup of coffee (new link)
184. Ky (reads & needs)
185. Sarah B. {Experiment Land}
186. Maria (A Book Geek)
187. e-Mom @ Chrysalis
188. Monkey Giggles
189. Ginny
190. Tristi
191. loraena
192. Framed (Sorry I\’m so late)
193. A Cheerful Heart
194. Mogs book blog
195. Elle Davis
196. Writing by Faith
197. Yvonne@Gr8tful4grace
198. The Sleepy Reader
199. Leah in Iowa
200. Julie B
201. Just Mom
202. Patricia@Typing One-Handed
203. Nur Wadik
204. Kristi (Passion for the Page)
205. Alice Teh
206. Jackie @ Always a Northerner
207. Ro @ bookcrazyblog
208. A. Snodgrass
209. Shanda
210. Kelley @ Aroma of Joy
211. Stacie
212. Yolanda w/Higher Grounds
213. Misa (This Redhead Reads)
214. Andrea (better late than never!)
215. Misa (This Redhead Reads)
216. Amydeanne
217. Rebecca LuElla Miller
218. Amy B (ltjewel)
219. Casey (daily randomness)
220. Sarah @ pussreboots
221. BlessedMa24
222. Tiffany (YouShouldBeSoLucky)
223. bradley
224. kim im ohio
225. Gina @ Portrait of a Writer
226. Maria (A Book Geek) – Wrap-up

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.

Spring Reading Thing 2008: Callapidder’s List

I’ve been reading all winter long, of course, but — true to form — I’ve been reading primarily fiction, while allowing those nonfiction books sit, lonely and unread, on the shelf. Oh, I’ve picked up several of them, started them, read a few chapters, even enjoyed them, but then I abandon them and return to whatever novel is currently holding my interest. Why? Because I am a bad nonfiction-finisher and that’s all there is to it.

So I’ll be using the structure and challenge of the Spring Reading Thing to “conquer” some of these books that I want to read, but just need a little help with.

My nonfiction list:

Effective Parenting in a Defective World by Chip Ingram — I’ve read the first chapter of this one, and I know it’s going to have lots of good, practical parenting encouragement in it. Now I need to read the rest of it.

Humility by C.J. Maheny — I’ve read the first couple chapters of this little gem. A good friend sent it to me (and you know it takes a good, trusted friend to send you a book on humility, right?) and I’m so glad she did. It’s one of those “get yourself reoriented in the right direction” kind of books.

The Beautiful Fight
by Gary Thomas — I loved Sacred Parenting by Thomas and am looking forward to diving into this one. It sounds great.

Self Talk, Soul Talk
by Jennifer Rothschild — The subtitle of this one pulled me in: What to say when you talk to yourself. Because I am always talking to myself. Actually, we all are; we all have that internal dialog. And I, for one, could stand to get that inner voice in shape a bit.

The Way They Learn by Cynthia Tobias — This a re-read for me. I read it ages ago — maybe 11 years? Pre-kids. But now I want to read it again, with C. (age 9) in mind, looking for ways to help and encourage him according to his learning style.

Take Joy by Jane Yolen — Again, a gift from a good friend. Jane Yolen is a delightful children’s author who has written this book subtitled, A Writer’s Guide to Loving the Craft. Sounds wonderful.

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As for fiction, I never need external motivation to read fiction, but there are several books that I’ve had for a while, that look good, but that — for one reason or another — I haven’t read yet. Those books have made it onto my Spring Reading Thing list.

My fiction list:

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card — I rarely read science fiction, but I’ve heard many wonderful things about this book. Most recently, Shalee recommended it to me, and I’m looking forward to digging in.

An Acceptable Time
by Madeleine L’Engle — When I was a preteen/teen, I loved L’Engle’s Time Quartet (A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, etc.). Imagine my surprise when I discovered that there is a fifth book (I guess that means it’s a quintet now, eh?). Can’t wait to read this.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman — Love the movie. Have seen it a million times. Haven’t read the book yet. My sister-in-law gave it to me for Christmas, and it’s about time I read it.

Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers — I’m a big fan of Agatha Christie’s mysteries, but must admit that I’ve never even tried one by Sayers. This’ll be my first.

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult — I saw this on a ton of lists last spring and knew that I would eventually read it. Now is the time.

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And because I love to see piles of books, and thought you might like to as well, here’s a picture of my Spring Reading Thing 2008 books:


Check out the lists others have made for the Spring Reading Thing HERE. And enjoy your reading this spring, whatever it happens to be!

Spring Reading List for Callapidder’s Mom

Note from Katrina: My mom told me several weeks ago that she’d like to participate in the Spring Reading Thing, even though she doesn’t have a blog. Since she’s a faithful reader and regular commenter here, and since she is, after all, my mom, I told her I would gladly put her list on my blog. That’s what daughters are for, right?

My mom (Doris) is an avid reader and we’re always trading books back and forth. I have no doubt that she’ll easily make it through the books she’s chosen. Okay, without further ado…

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Doris’s Spring Reading Thing 2008 List

The Scarlet Pimpernel
by Baroness Orczy — I read this book before but forgot it. I remember I liked it.

Try Dying
by James Scott Bell

The Darkest Evening of the Year
by Dean Koontz

Sweet Revenge
by Diane Mott Davidson

Puss and Cahoots
by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown — Light reading so I’ll get through on time!

Check out the main Spring Reading Thing post for links to more participant lists!