May Book Log

I was much more productive reading in May! Seven books this month and so close to finishing an eighth!

Here's my May list:

Mission at Nuremberg by Tim Townsend
I borrowed this book from my neighbor. It's about her great-grandfather, Henry Gerecke, the US Army chaplain for the Nuremberg trials. This book was so well written. I knew a little bit about the trials prior to reading this book, but getting information about the behind the scenes from the chaplains who ministered to the Nazis brought a whole new depth to the subject matter. Gerecke was an amazing man and I really enjoyed reading about his life and major role in WWII. Definitely a book I have been recommending to others and would love to have for my personal library.

Something Other Than God by Jennifer Fulwiler
I bought this book because I have been Fulwiler's blog Conversion Diary since beginning my own faith journey to Catholicism in July of last year (from the archives in order from 2007 to her current posts) (I'm in 2012 now!). Honest, smart, funny, I love her writing and was so excited to see that what I love about her blog writing translated so well into her book writing. I have always felt that Fulwiler's questions, stumbling blocks, and realizations in her faith journey really mirrored my own. Her book hit home for me and I found myself crying at how she captured my feelings in words in a way I have not been able to on my own yet.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
This book has been on my radar for a while due to Elisabeth begging me to read it to see if she can yet or not. Man, this book was so good. Green's style was easy to read, easy to get lost in. His voice for Hazel, through whose point of view the book is told, is honest and sincere. I had a big ol' crush on Augustus Waters from the get-go. The book had me ugly crying a few times. This book is a keeper.

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
After the lovely Sarah at Harry Times gave such rave reviews for this book, I hurried to find it for myself. I could not put this book down. To describe it will make it sound contrite and I promise you it is anything but! I enjoyed the off balance time line, which was actually done properly and not in a confusing manner as happens with some authors. I really loved Rosemary's voice--I felt like i really knew her. Definitely a book I recommend and will be keeping to re-read some day.

Atonement by Ian McEwan
I had a hard time reading this book while pregnant with Vivian over 2 years ago because, as with all my pregnancies, I couldn't concentrate on this or any book. However, even not pregnant, I really struggled not giving up on this book for the first 80+ pages. The points of view were sloppy and overstepped each other. I didn't know who I was supposed to be connecting with because they were all such flat characters. By around page 100, I started enjoying the book and was committed to finishing it. I liked Robbie's perspective and couldn't put it down when he was the voice narrating. The very end was disappointing and unnecessary. Three out of five stars if I had to rate it that way.

Tobit's Dog by Michael Nicholas Richard
I gave a full review of this book over at my other blog Mea Cuppa, but will summarize by saying that I really enjoyed this book. Also, it was the first book I finished on my Kindle! (I just can not get into reading on my Kindle)

The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food by Judith Jones
I adored this  book!!! I also gave an extensive book review at Mea Cuppa on this book, too, but oh my goodness, I just big puffy heart loved it so much. The book was so inspiring and motivating to continue the journey of learning and improving and expanding one's cooking skills.

I have a nice pile of books to read this month! I'm hoping to get a lot in with it being summer and sitting outside while the children frolic until the sun starts melting us into puddles and we have to rush inside to relish the joy that is air conditioning.