Oh Kal, LOL! Leave it to you to come up with the chuckle for the day. However the subject is not a laughing matter, is it.

L'amore!

Not it's not at all.

I'm just glad I don't have to make the call, either way.

We started POAs/Trusts twice already...this third time will be the charm.

I'll be bringing "The Secret Life of Bees" with me to Spain. I don't have much time to read at home, hence the reason that book has been sitting unread for about 8 months now. I'm looking forward to finishing it on the plane!

Just finished reading "The Dive from Clausen Pier", boy is that a good "chick" book, or what. Immediately thought of this post! ;-)

Another very good read TRAVEL related as well. The Family Tree by Carole Cadwalladr (spelt like that without the e). It is different, original, and very witty- as it ties in the 1970's in the UK, media, tv, cultural mores etc. with genetics' studies. The protagonist's husband is a geneticist and she is 8 and an adult (every other chaper)connecting memory with the scientific method and empirical proofs for cause and effects in relationships. She footnotes and charts, as she is forever connecting in context to the present tense tv programs, styles or political thought of the times. Easy to read, very light hearted and positive, yet definitely not fluff. Rather deep without trying to hard to be. It would be an extremely different kind of book if the protagonist was a pessimist, but she is not.

Her description of her family's first travel trailer (caravan) trip to Norfolk in the rain is hysterically undertold through the eyes of an 8 year old. You really get to know this family, and they could be living anywhere. This author has vivid characterization and is concise and scientific at the same time.

Sorry for the typos, it's late and I'm waiting for something to get out of the oven for tomorrow or I would be sleeping.

Happy Easter to all- it just hit Chicago as it is midnight.

Have you read any of Anne River Siddens' books? My favorite is Summer Sisters focuses on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I also like Sue Grafton, Patterson, Evanovich, Sanford, Fielding and Cornwell. Evonovich because her books make me laugh so much, Cornwell - because her stories take place in my home state of Virgnia, Sanford, Grafton and Patterson not only because the stories are good, but I love the main characters. Another series of books I loved was the one written by the Vet - All things Bright and Beautiful, etc. I cannot for the life of me remember his name - but he was a real Vet in either Scotland or Ireland I think - they made me laugh out loud many times.

Kal: You gonna autograph books? And at which watering-hole can we make reservations to find you since I'm thinking the regular bookstore signing isn't quite your style!

Benita, was it James Herriot or something similar?

Yes, James Herriot. One of the oldies but goodies.

OMG - trip down memory lane!

James Herriot, Scottish Vet working in North Yorkshire.
Wonderful books, fantastic sense of humour, I was introduced to these at age 11(ish) by my science teacher. As a family we spent most weekends exploring the Yorkshire Moors so now I feel the urge to read them again. Thanks Benita.

For a light read, try some of the Lorna Landvik books. I thoroughly enjoyed "Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons" and "Welcome to the Great Mysterious."

Not a light read, but I just finished "Emma and Me". The subject could be a bit disturbing (abuse) but the book was amazing, a la "Lovely Bones". Could not put (either) down 'til finished.

Sorry if I am repeating a previous recommendation, I just couldn't "plough" through all the above, but "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger was outstanding.

Hope this post works... Having trouble today!

I like many of the above. Any new suggestions?

Any input on:
Mermaid Chair
Swing
Chore Whore
Hunt Sisters

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Maggi, I loved The Time Traveler's Wife -- I hear they're making it into a movie, should be good!

A tip -- if you want to scan a post for a mention of something, click your cursor near the top of the post, then hit "ctrl/f" (shortcut for Find) and type in what you're looking for. I've used this trick numerous times to avoid reading a whole post.

The book swap went well. I've already had two books returned by people who finished them on spring break.

One coworker loved "Split Second" by Dan Baldacci and plans to read more of his books so I feel good about helping her discover an author she likes. She was in the copilot seat while her husband drove through the night to Florida (can you say yuck?)and when the batteries in her reading lite died she insisted he stop at a gas station so she could keep reading the book.

Love the idea about having a book swap party. Let us know how it goes.

I just picked up "Kiterunner" at Target because a friend came to the 6am aerobics class I teach reading the book. She didn't put it down until the music started. That was endorsement enough for me.