Bright idea for bed

Don't get too excited ladies, it's not what you think! I was searching for (ohhhh, I want to say something cool here.....but I can't....) a...book light (there I said it) and came upon this article "Guiding Light." What a hilarious little writer he is! Anyway, someone is always complaining that my reading in bed is keeping him from sleeping - so in an effort to save my marriage, and keep up my favourite routine, I'm in need of a better light, or book light.

According to Mr. Bartlett, I should be ordering the Zelco "Itty Bitty" Slim Book Light (I found it on Amazon for $30). But please let me know if any of you have a good one out there before I go ahead with this purchase (I know I'm not alone wanting this gadget...right?)

Never leave home without one...

OMG! How have I been living without an iPhone before...now I definitely will be able to keep up with my blogs everywhere I go (lucky you!) Anyway, that's not what I'm writing about. I was just thinking how lucky it is that I am the biggest nerd of life and always have a book in my purse. I have been at the hospital all day (Rob attempted to saw his finger off at work today -ouch- so not funny at all) and while he's been sleeping, I've almost finished The Hunger Games. It really is as addictive as everyone online says...I can't put it down! There are so many comparisons going on in my mind between this one and Year of the Flood that has me a little concerned about our future - I'm sure I will finish it here waiting tonight and then better get started on our book club selection before it's back to work and reality for me.

Has anyone started Little Bee? Bee sure to keep a copy in your purse!!! Ha ha ha hospitals make me delirious!

Xoxo

And we're off!

Erinn and I agree that we had quite a successful first meeting last night and are super excited to get started on our first book. Thank you Erinn for the delicious food and wine (too bad it was a Monday!) I love seeing how everyone's personality was reflected in their lists (not just what was written, but the actual lists). Although I typed my list up with summaries of each selection, Erinn out-did me by further making copies of her typed list for everyone...amazing Erinn! Second place goes to Tara whose list came in the form of a huge pile of books (we knew when she left because we could all see each other over the coffee table again!) And, third place goes to Nat D, whose list included a book on economics? What did you do Nat, write your list as you wandered around Chapters?!!! Maybe you and Nat B can start your own math club? (Too harsh?)

Anyway, we all wrote three titles on paper and figured out which were repeated the most. From this list, we chose our first three books and we're all excited to start the month of September off reading "Little Bee" by Chris Cleave.

In October, we are reading "Secret Daughter" by Shilpi Somaya Gowda and in November, we are reading "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie" by Alan Bradley.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS ladies, I'm hosting the next BFAB on Tuesday, October 5th (Little Bee), Nat B is hosting on Tuesday, November 2nd (Secret Daughter) and Tara is hosting on Tuesday, December 7th (Sweetness).

I'll send out some questions the week before our next BFAB Club. Please feel free to comment here throughout the month though, if you have anything that you would like to share...don't be shy!

Wishing Tara, Julie and Erinn a safe and super trip to Bali!

Happy Reading B-FABers,

xoxo

Hungry?

Ok...so upon further exploration, this "Hunger Games" book is no small item. Hahaha - I am totally laughing my ass off reading some postings out there. Here's my fave:
"THIS. IS. BOOK CRACK. The publishers need to tell us what the third book will be called and when we can get it. Now." I love book crack!

Apparently, it's being made into a movie too (of course)! And, here's the biggest shocker: the lead girl has to choose between two hunky boys. Who doesn't love having to pick a team, right? So I suggest you read it now before it's all you hear about! (From me...I mean...)

P.S. How many tees would you like me to order?

What celebs are reading...

I just got my latest Shape Magazine in the mail and am super excited that two of my favourite ladies are featured inside: Jennifer Aniston and Kristen Bell. Both happen to discuss books that they are currently into, so I thought I'd share it with you!

Apparently, Jennifer (we're now on a first name basis only) returns again and again to the same book to find solace. It's called "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. I had never heard of this one, so I looked it up. Here's an excerpt from the authors website:

"Everything we do is based on agreements we have made - agreements with ourselves, with other people, with God, with life. But the most important agreements are the ones we make with ourselves. In these agreements we tell ourselves who we are, how to behave, what is possible, what is impossible. One single agreement is not such a problem, but we have many agreements that come from fear, deplete our energy, and diminish our self-worth."

I'm not much into reading self-help type books, but it certainly sounds interesting. Why am I not surprised, however, that Jennifer is into a book that offers a special code to help us experience "freedom, true happiness, and love." Has anyone read it? Let me know your thoughts.

Kristen's fave book right now is a more surprising one. She apparently couldn't put this book down and finished it in a day...it's called "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins and is a fictional story about a sixteen year old female gladiator. Sounds a little bizarre to me at first, but then again, so did the whole Twilight series! Mmmmm...Jacob....Anyway, click here to check out the author's crazy cool website and read more about the series. I may just have to pick this one up.

1 more sleep till book club!

xoxo

The 1st date's been set

Alright ladies...looks like we're meeting at Erinn's on Monday night at 7:30. So now's the time to get those lists in order - what have you been wanting to read, what have others suggested to you - don't be shy, you've seen how my taste in books can be questionable at times! Nothing will be off limits (mocked perhaps, but not disregarded)

Katie sends us this list from Hamilton: (Thanks KT O!)

1. Into the Wild: Jon Kraukauer

2. One Day: David Nicholls

3. Lolita: Nabokov

4. Cat's Eye: Margaret Atwood

5. *****The Happiness Project - SOOO GOOD!

By that last comment, I'm going to assume that she had read all of these. Note to Ottawa B-FABers, your lists have to be of books you've never read (or you're out!) Too harsh?

Can't wait to see what you're all in the mood for for our first month...especially since three of you will be reading in Bali while the rest of us closet read at work.

xoxo

What if???

I finally uploaded pictures from my camera and thought I better share this one as it goes down as one of my favourite days of the summer. Rob and I explored a provincial park we had never been to before (Voyageur Provincial Park) for the weekend and ended up with a site on the water. It was a rocky/pebbly bottom but just the right depth for us to stick our camping chairs (and side table...I know, sooo luxurious) right in. I spent hours in there reading and didn't even notice each time Rob left to fill up our drink cups!

So, what had me so engrossed...only that book I mentioned earlier - The Pretend Wife. Borrowed from my girlfriend in Hamilton, how could I not pick up a book that asks: "What would life be like with the one who got away?" What if, what if, what if? One of the most dangerous word combinations in our language I think. Anyway, it's not a must-read but was perfect for a camping weekend, and easy enough to put down for a game or two of cribbage!

Mmmmmm the word cribbage looks a lot like cabbage which is making me hungry...gotta go!

xoxo

What's your reading style?

Good evening B FABers!

I know it is ridiculously late for a Tuesday night, but I just came in from a fantastic night out with some old girlfriends and past colleagues of mine that I just don't get to see often enough...we were literally told that the restaurant was closing and we had to go home! I just don't know how it happened (NOT!), but at the fourth hour of our sit-in, the topic of conversation turned to books and what we have been reading lately and I couldn't believe just how many I have devoured since June: 8!! (Year of the Flood, Can you keep a secret?, Angels and Demons, My Sister's Keeper, Cum Laude, Digital Fortress, The Constant Princess and The Pretend Wife) - Can you really tell that I have the summer off or what? Anyway, we were having so much fun one-upping each other listing off our latest reads and discovered that everyone has read the same one in the past year (In this case it was A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini). I love the way that books can bring people together like this: it is fascinating to see which parts or characters stand out to one person versus another and what the story meant for them. How can one story illicit so many responses and such strong opinions or emotions? I love it!

To keep it enjoyable and interesting, my own reading style has always been heavy, light, heavy, light. I enjoy a little Sophie Kinsella or Maeve Binchy mixed in between my Wally Lamb and Margaret Atwood sandwich. I just finished The Pretend Wife last night and picked up The Constant Gardener this morning...so you can see that I am no literature snob and am willing to give almost everything a chance! What's your reading style? Do you gravitate towards a certain genre, author or story?

Let's talk more tomorrow - I am starting to ramble and could write until the sun comes up...must go to book...I mean bed...

Night night

Welcome B-FABers!

Hello ladies!

We're so excited to be starting this club: not only will it force us to get together at least once a month, but we'll be having discussions that we have been having anyways (in the wrong company, poor Rob) with our fellow book lovers (the right company) over wine (the best company!)

We'll get together in the next few weeks at Erinn's to make our first selection, so...start thinking of all those gems out there that you haven't yet devoured and bring your list. We will have a democratic vote and go from there.

"A book is like a piece of rope; it takes on meaning only in connection with the things it holds together." (Norman Cousins)...Looking so forward to unraveling many good books together.