Nathan and I tried a new thing in the last couple months ... audio books. I don't care what anyone says about how great audio books or e-Readers are. NOTHING beats reading a bound book with pages that you can physically turn. I know it's not the green thing, but really, you just can't replace books. This was my second time trying an audio book and I've come to the conclusion that I just don't get as much out of it when I'm listening to it. I'm a visual person (flashcards were my saving grace in school; if I physically meet you and you tell me your name, I will remember it for life!), so there's nothing better than curling up with a paperback and getting lost in the story. On that note, my Goodreads this month ...
Seriously ... I'm Kidding by Ellen Degeneres. I might be the biggest Ellen fan in the world. Seriously ... not kidding. :) I love her humor and the good she does. Having said that, while parts of her book were hilarious, overall it was a little disappointing for me. I'm not sure what I expected, but after the first few chapters it all kind of ran together. If you're looking for a really, really light and easy read, pick this up. If not, keep it on the shelf (it PAINS me to say that!).
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. This was one of our audio books and while I liked it, I think I would have liked it better if I was holding it in my hands. The Westing Game is a classic children's mystery (although "children" means older than 12 in my mind) that's kind of like Clue. There's a murder and all the characters come together to play a game for money. I really thought I'd be able to put the clues together, but in the end I was still stumped. Always a good thing to be surprised right 'til the very end.
Off Balance by Dominique Moceanu. This was the perfect pre-Olympics book. Dominique was my very favorite gymnast growing up, so her memoir was fascinating to me. I had absolutely no idea what went on behind the scenes of her very public life, and this was eye-opening. While it was an easy read, I thought there was a lot of depth to the story. Plus, the really cool thing is that she lives in Cleveland now. Maybe she needs some sweet family photos? :)
Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan. So, so different than all the books above, Say You're One of Them was a heart-wrenching read. It's made up of five short stories chronicling children in Africa, and there is no sugar coating here. It was agonizing and painful, but it was necessary for me to read. I had no grasp on what poverty looks like in Africa, and I always appreciate books that force me to look up from my cushy world and realize that I'm blessed beyond belief.
