Current Book

Well, I know this is unprecedented for me, but two in one day is what you're going to get. I just couldn't wait to tell all about this book I am reading today.
(A side note about how really ridiculously true it is how often I start a new book, a little story from a conversation I had with Matt this week:
He called on my lunch break and said, "What are you doing?" and I said, "Reading." He said, "What are you reading?" I answered "The Ginger Tree" (it's a book by Oswald Wynd, fabulous... about a woman who moves to China at the beginning of the 20th century; it's set up in a diary style, which I always enjoy). He exclaimed, surprised, "You were reading that yesterday too! Wow, must be really good.)
(And a note out about Matty and how wonderful he is to actually have listened and remembered something I said two days in a row. No offense, men, but you know that's quite a feat. Kudos, Matthew.)
Anyway, to what I am reading today. I grew up in a very Southern, meat and potatoes, suburbia, Baptist, Mom-and-Dad-are-still-married-to-each-other kind of family. Not to be stereotypical, but we often don't hear much about Judaism in these realms, but for some reason, my mom has always been fascinated with the Hebrews and their culture. I, not being Jewish, really was somewhat indifferent. Being a Christian, I knew that they are God's chosen race, so I love them, but as far as their culture and traditions, I really didn't know much.
A couple of years ago, I read a book on recommendation from my baby sister (who is no longer a baby; she's in college, but I will always refer to her as my baby sister) who read it on recommendation from her best friend who could have been a clone of my best friend, so I knew it should be good. It was called "A Return to Modesty" by Wendy Shalit. Wendy, if you're out there, reading this somehow, please, please write more, because I devoured that book. I acctually finished it (which should be a testament to how good it is), not once, but three times! Now before all you feminists scoff at the word "modesty" still being used today, in the 21st century, you should really give this book a try. It gave a voice to what I and so many other strong women have felt for so long. I won't give it all away, but it truely is superb.
Anyway, I digress often. Have you noticed? But Ms. Shalit was Jewish, and one of my first true introductions to just a taste of their culture and traditions. It's really fascinating. So much rich history.
Then I came across this book, "Girl Meets God." It's about a Christian girl, who grew up Orthodox Jew, who is trying to marry the two religions she so loves. Another recommendation, this author, I heard about through another author I love, love, love (Donald Miller), and she has definitely been no disappointment. The title and cover give it no justice. It looks kinda trite "God and my girlfriend" kinda literature, but it's deep and felt and honest. I'm really enjoying her and learning more about the Jewish culture.
So, that's my latest recommendation. If you've read it, please let me know what you think. And if you haven't, go hit up Barnes and Noble.

Books

I really can't believe that it's been two months since I've written anything new to this blog. I'm sorry I haven't been more interesting. I could make excuses about how time flies these days (which really is true the older you get, because when you are 5, one day is a whopping 1/1,825th of your life, and when you are 25 it is a mere 1/9,125th), or how now that I'm working full time, there is always something to do when I come home (laundry, pay the bills, eat dinner, etc.), but really, it comes down to that there is nothing that I am all that excited about discussing, and if I'm not even excited enough to spend a few moments musing about it to myself, who in the world else is supposed to read it?
I was munching on this over breakfast this morning, when my dad suggested something. It's a good idea.
You see, I read. A lot. I read when I should be sleeping; I read when I should be working; I read when I should be reorganizing my closet for the fall season. I read when I should be writing something whitty and enlightening on this blog.
One thing I've always wanted to do is to document all the books I read. I've tried to start notebooks of lists "To Read," "Have Read," and "Date Started/Completed" but one of my vices is that I often start a book, only to get about halfway through it and find something else that excites me, start on it, and the old one sits on my nightstand getting promises of "I'll get to you when I'm done with this one," but chances are that This One, usually gets interrupted too, so my list of books looks like I've never really read a book all.
So, Daddy's idea is that I use this blog as sort of a "What I'm Reading" page. I won't stick dogmentally to this, of course; I'll be free to write whatever I'd like. And often, my reading intesects with what's going on in my life anyway. But I'd like to go in a different direction here, and instead of just ranting aimlessly on about the small goings-on of my routine life.
So, here's to the new direction of blogging!

P.S.-I'm always (see above), looking for new books to read, so I'm open to suggestions any time. This is a safe environment too, because since we don't actually know each other face-to-face, we won't have to worry about feeling personally rejected because you don't absolutely adore my favorite novel of all time, or I don't find your newest self-help instructional guide to be particularly life changing.