Books I'm Hogging From The Library: The March 26, 2011 Edition

I didn't intend to let months pass between blog posts. Then again, I didn't intend to get pregnant, which led to a miscarriage, which led to surgery, which finally concluded with a big ol' case of postpartum depression. I also didn't foresee my brother having a big ol' seizure which led to a big ol' surgery where a big ol' tumor was removed from his brain. And shortly after that, my Dad had a stroke, and wow, those are just the highlights from the past six months.

So.

I've never been someone to emote all over the blogosphere, and in general, prefer my online self to be helpful and upbeat. Well, as helpful and upbeat as sarcasm can be, ya know. So my plan is to simply blog when I can, and when doing so, rejoice in the relative 'calmness' that allowed that to happen.

I've had so many books I've wanted to tell you about during my latest bloggy absence. As an aside, I often talk about what I've been reading over on my facebook page, so if you "like" me, please circle yes, no, maybe so click on over.

This is what's currently on my shelf.

My Stroke of Insight: Hubs is always listening to this geeky thing and that, and he was the first to mention this book to me. And then lo and behold, my Dad had a stroke, and Jill Bolte Taylor's story was the first to pop up in my mind. Essentially, she's a brain scientist who had a stroke, so her perspective is unique and enlightening. It's not all "sciency," though, as she shares quite a bit about the loving support she had which was so important during recovery. I listen to the audiobook while washing dishes, with the volume turned one notch above "THREE KIDS IN THE HOUSE."

Lark Rise to Candleford: I've caught this show once or twice on my local public TV channel, and have always wanted to watch the series from the start. Well, whoa darlin', I finally got season one in my library-loving hands and I love, love, LURVE it. I've tweeted that it's like the British version of Little House on the Prairie--only better. In this stressful time of my life, the show has been a soothing balm on my nerves. What would also be a soothing balm on my nerves would be having season two on hold and ready for me to pick up lickety-split. But alas, I will moan and groan patiently wait til it arrives.

Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History: I chuckle every time I see this book on my shelf. I guess all my overactive imagination can picture are plants giving epic monologues, climbing tall mountains, or shuttling into space. Nevertheless, just when you thought "plants" + "history" = a walk through a field full of poppies . . . you'd be wrong. And you'd also be surprised! There's more than illegal drugs on the list. Yippee! Go plants!

The Teenage Liberation Handbook: I have no clue how long I'll homeschool my kids, but I gotta tell you--I've tasted enough freedom that I could see us riding the hippie train and alternate-schooling the whole way through. This book is an eye-opener for the teenage years, daring to imagine that there might be something to "school" besides regurgitating for a test. Huh.

American Idol: The Untold Story: This behind-the-scenes book does not include the current season of Idol (um, DUH), which I should mention is a far better season than I've seen in the past, thanks to Nigel Lythgoe and the new batch of judges. But it does include stories about the older, crazier judges, the contestant's typical schedule for the week (schedule! love!), and other things that happen in "reality" on a "reality" show.

And there you have it. Reading anything good this spring?


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