Tuesday, July 22, 2008

my summer reading list

Would you think less of me if I confessed that yes, I do indeed judge a book by its cover. I am always drawn to the graphics & the image on the front. I love a thick page with the edges all ruffed--I don't know what that's called but I love it.
Looking at these covers , wouldn't you guess they would be great books too?
Well, they were.Chosen by a Horse....tearjerker. What was I thinking? I cant handle sad animal stories. Strange thing I can handle sad people stories, bad sad animal stories, no way.
Reedeming Love~probably the best story I've ever read.
Swimming Lessons~sequel to the Beach House. Loved 'em both, love Mary Alice Monroe. & yes, they both have great covers.
Swan House~ historical fiction based in Atlanta. loved it! loved it!
Dwelling Place ~ the sequel to Swan House, personally didn't find it to be quite as fantastic.
Grayson~precious true story about a girl swimming with a baby whale. Has those ruffly page ends that I love.
Harry Potter 4 & 5~fabulous, amazing, what more can be said. i've never read anything remotely as creative as what J.K. has done in this series. Huge books, have taken breaks and read other "lighter" books inbetween. The girls have given me a Nov 26 deadline ( release date of the movie-duh.)The Shack~ I was a little hesitant to read this one. Usually books that are "all the rage" I stear clear of.
Oh my.....amazing!! A must read. Will change you!

This little fella was in the yard today. Apparantly enjoying the stiffling 100 degree weather. Fall , where art thou?
I have received a few questions ~~ sorry so late in my response!
The matching brown & white giraffe bikinis --from Gap kids this season.
The bright blue & white matching dresses from a few posts ago---Lilly Pulitzer summer 2006 line. Truth be told, last summer all the girls had a piece in this print, even big Dan sported the matching tie while we were on vacation. Gotta love a man that will wear a Lilly tie, in public no less.
The dresses below are also Lilly. Believe this is an older print that came out in 2002.



A precious reader asked me weeks ago, maybe months ago to recommend some great christian music. Obviously music is a personal preference but a few of my fave's are Third Day, Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Chris Tomlin & David Crowder. Christie Nockels has the voice of an angel-she has sung with her hubby in the Christian group Watermark, and supposedly is going to release a solo project soon.

Since I am a little all over the board, I wanted to thank you~ Jackie Carl. You don't have a blog for me to swing by but you always leave a sweet encouraging comment on every post....thank you! thank you! :)

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yay ! A new post ! :-)
I come every day to see if you have blogged.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU for picking me out of ALL of your commentors to make a personal note to.
You ARE the sweetest !

I did start a blog once, but didn't keep it going. Never knew what to say on it. I have been thinking about starting it again....who knows.

I have email, that I use religiously...so if you ever want to email me.....I'm here for that !

Have a truly blessed day and thank you, again, for sharing a part of your life w/ us "readers".

Love to you,
Jackie Carl (Marion, IN)

Jboo said...

Thanks for your summer reading list. I'm going to check out some of those, esp. your "must read." Great photos as always! I'm trying to remember the cold horrible winter in order to deal with the heat and humidity here. Take care!

Janet

georgiafulenwider said...

Redeeming Love simply the BEST book ever! And Steven Curtis Chapman, his concert a fdew nights ago, amazing!!! Thank you for sharing your life, you have inspired me... www.easysite.com/fulenwiderfamily.
I wish my photos were as beautiful!


Many blessings,
Georgia

melissa said...

Paige -
I also love Mary Alice Monroe's book and I agree, the Shack was amazing!! A must read.
Beautiful butterfly photos as well as you and your daughter in Lilly! You need to post them on the Lilly Pulitzer photo site - the photo album. I have lots posted, even my dog in his Lilly, monogrammed scarf! Also, you should join the Lilly group on Flickr :)

Melissa
http://mcc.typepad.com/
My blog is set at private, but feel free to vist (readers here included) :)
username: mcc
password: lulubelle

Heather said...

i LOVE the ruffled edges as well!!! How funny is that? I always thought I was the only one. I definitely judge a book by it's cover .. I'm all about Emily Geffen right now ... her covers are clean.

Redeeming Love is one of my all time favs as well ... Francine Rivers has some amazing books out there. She is my first Christian Fiction I have ventured into ... and I love her.

I'm on Chapter 4 of The Shack right now and I'm already just sad reading it. Thinking of my sweet little A.C. ... I just don't know if I can handle it!

Thanks for all your suggestions! I think we like a lot of the same things.

*BTW there is a group on Facebook that is alumni for DCA - please tell Coach K that there was a whole, huge discussion about him ... things that happened in his class, the car he used to drive (monte carlo?), and even mentioned Greg in there as well .... i thought you would want to know! They were all wondering where he was..... he left a great impression on all of his old students there.

Suburban prep said...

I have read the other books by Patti Callahan Henry and I loved them. I am looking forward to reading the new one. Thanks for the acknowledgement that it is a good read.

Kacee said...

ohhh I agree...Redeeming Love is absolutely the best book ever. I have read it over and over again. Some of my friends have even made their husbands read it too. I will have to read some of your other finds.

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for the reading recs! I am ALWAYS looking for a good book. And I, too, am wayyyy attracted to what the cover looks like. I always feel really let down when the cover pic does not match the story!

Unknown said...

Paige!
Thanks for the suggestions. I written some down. Thank you for stopping by the other day!
I too, stop here everyday. I can't get enough of your blog! So ditto what Jackie said!
YOU are the sweetest and kindest woman. Take care hope to see you soon back over!
Hugs,
Robyn

Pixel Fairy Princess said...

Love your list and will have to check some of them out! Read Swan House and Dwelling Place - love historical fiction - must be the history teacher in me :D

Love the dress - Li Li is a big time Lilly girl! Never thought about doing the matching thing. I love it on you :D

Off to the aquarium today - just me and my girl! She is so excited.

Post again soon - you are SO loved!
ladybug hugs,
;D

Courtney said...

Paige-

Thank you for posting your book list! I had posted on my blog asking for some good book selections. I'll have to check out some of yours! Cute pix as always. I love the quaint setting too! August is just around the corner. I do hope you come by and see me at school on the 7th!?!

Blessings,
Courtney

Jake and Taryn said...

I am glad I am not the only one who judges a book by its cover! :) Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

I also love your Lilly pictures! I love Lilly pulitzer and LOVE those ties they make! I have often thought of doing a matching dress and tie for a Christmas picture :)

RobinfromCA said...

Ha! My friend, Lori, and I always laugh about how we judge books by their covers and what suckers we are for the "ruffle edged" books! So nice to know we have company! We always go to Barnes & Noble and end up reaching for the same books while saying "OOooo." :-)

Have you heard of Shelfari? So much fun - so addictive! I blogged about it - in my new little world of blogging - just the other day. It's great for people who love to read.

Your photos are great as always.

Robin
(RobinFromCA on flickr)

http://weareflyingnow.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Hi Paige! Such a beautiful blog, I love your photos!

Dawn Gahan said...

Paige,
A co-worker of mine recently recommended Redeeming Love, telling me it is her favorite book in the whole world. I took it home thinking the cover looked at little too "romance novel" for my usual taste. But I gave it a shot . . . and COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!

I agree, one of the best stories I've ever read.

Dawn

Cottage At Dove Canyon said...

Paige,
The other evening, I was passing time and read your blog start to finish. What an incredibly moving story you have! I was so touched by your life experiences and think finding your second chance at love is such a unexpected gift.
You and your beautiful family have been through so much! I wish you all the best.

Clare said...

Redeeming Love was the most amazing book I think I have ever read. I read it last summer at the beach, and I felt like I couldn't even enjoy the water and sand because I was too busy reading!

Thank you for posting about my picture of Bradley at the park. I have been working really hard on my picture skills. I even read the manual the other day, and started changing settings!!! A lot to think about with a 1 1/2 year old running around. I took a pick of him at mint springs pond that I posted that I think is my best picture yet! It meant so much that you liked it...I am using you as inspiration!!! XO, Clare

sugar said...

I will have to read Redeeming Love. My mom has been telling me how wonderful it is, now I'll have to check it out. That one and a few others you mentioned. Thanks.

cathypentonatelier said...

You too are sooooooooo cute.... c xxx
PS Sitting here working on these gorgeous charms of a family I think a lot of...Can't wait for you to get them... Kirstie and Ned are watching movies and Geoff and Andrew are watching the footy so I have time to enjoy.....

Carol Dunton said...

Visiting you today was balm for my soul, sweet Paige. Thank you for sharing the photos and books with us... I, too, judge a book by its cover...try as I might not to, I am instantly drawn to a book that captures me with it's cover photo, title...even the FONT!! How crazy is that??!? Love your sharing of your life with us. Blessings to you and your family.

cammy said...

Love you girls in your matching Lilly dresses. Sadly, Gracie doesn't really have any interest anymore in wearing matching Lilly outfits.....breaks my heart :)!

Thanks for the book and music recommendations. I almost bought The Shack the other day but decided on something else. Have you ever heard Sara Groves....love her.