What I've Been Reading

Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson

This is the  memoir of a mommyblogger who I've been following for a while. Mommyblogs, especially since I got pregnant last year, have been a sort of guilty pleasure for me. Since I'm the only one of my friends who has a  baby, it's kinda nice to see what other typical moms do and how they manage the day-to-day life with babies and kids and housework and stuff. Nielson's life (and blog) went from typical to exceptional, however, when she and her husband were in a plane crash and almost died. Her book begins with her life before she was a mother, and continues to tell the terrifying story of the crash, the painful physical recovery, and the long journey towards emotional healing. The only downside to the book is how often Nielson talks about her faith. Though her recovery was miraculous, I got a little bit tired of hearing about how miraculous it was. She is also the type of mommyblogger who takes utter, absolute joy in being a mother and a housewife, something which I can't exactly relate to. (Not saying that I don't love my son...I just love other stuff to.) Overall it was a good read and very inspiring. I definitely cried a few times and laughed a few times, and I she really sounds like an amazing person. I recommend it to anyone who likes miracle stories.


Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher

The first book in a long epic fantasy series, it was recommended to me by my brother John. As a fan of Butcher's Dresden Files series, I gave it a try. As far as epic fantasies go, this one didn't disappoint. It was quick moving and action packed, and the world was unique and interesting. It kind a bugged me that each chapter switched to follow a different character, building towards a climax in which all the characters meet because I felt like I didn't get to know any one character as well as I would have liked, but as it went along I started to like all the characters and it wasn't as annoying. The book was pretty good but not exceptional. I think I'll wait for final judgement until I read more of the series.  John lent me the next one already, so I'll be giving that a try next.

 Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
 
Some comfort rereading over spring break while I was visiting my parents in Austin. Still some of the best, most classic books of all time. I still want to go to South Dakota and visit De Smet. <3 I can't wait until I have a little girl who I can read these with. I'll just have to introduce the to Jack before he's old enough to realize that they are about a little girl.

I also read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, but that can be it's own post since it's such a Big Deal lately. What else...I feel like I read something else recently too but I can't remember what.