For the last week. I’ve had this lovely little evening routine. We put Happy Candelas down for the night (whether or not he goes to sleep is a different story) and then I go sit in a rocking chair on the front porch until the sunlight fades. The temperature is perfect. The sunlight dapples in the field across the street in the most radiant pattern. A few neighbors and their pups walk by and wave or sniff their greeting. Lola is relaxed for the first time all day (she stays vigilant every minute that Happy is awake and lurking) and sits at my feet. Two birds fuss over their nests in the jasmine just out of reach. I have some Blood Orange soda in a glass and a book on my lap and the evening, the story seem pregnant with possibility.
So far this (birthday) year, I’ve worked my way through Hungry by Crystal Renn, Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult, The Ghost at the Table by Suzanne Berne, Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Ruben, Game Change by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, Juliet Naked by Nick Hornby, House Rules by Jodi Picoult, Lift by Kelly Corrigan, Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert, The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp, The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose, and Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger.
The way that works out is 2 ghost stories (neither of which I knew had ghosts in them (ironically the one with the ghost in the title does not have an actual ghost in it) or I wouldn’t have cracked them open because I don’t usually take to supernatural elements), 8 works of non-fiction, one novel rooted in music (I.Heart.NickHornby), two works rooted in faith, three books that look at motherhood in some way, and two novels that look at sisterhood.
I am about to go check out the book shelf in the closet(which now has not one smidge of room left) to see what spine I’ll crack open next but want your suggestions, too. 
Whatcha reading? Whatcha lovin’? Have you read Girl with a Dragon Tattoo? Should that be my next read? What about The Book of Unholy Mischief? Sarah’s Key? I Do Not Come to You By Chance?
What needs to be on my list?
I love to learn what you are reading! Right now Ashley and I are reading(aloud together) Fathered by God by umm John Eldredge I believe…
I am also re-reading everything I highlighted in The Connected Child 🙂
Ha! You’re asking the wrong person that question! Have we not talked about my “to be read” piles????
I was reading Loving Frank, but it was too tragic, so I stopped. I started Jen Lancaster’s Pretty In Plaid right away and am laughing my fanny off.
I am reading Little Bee right now. I bought it for Chris’s mom for her birthday because I thought the write up on the back looked really interesting but I had no idea what it was about. She called me to say she read it in two days and loved it. So, I bought it the other day and it is REALLY good…Then I’ll start Kabul Beauty School 🙂
I read Jeanette Walls’s Glass Castle and Half Broke Horses is now on my list. Also, just bought Committed but haven’t read it yet. Thanks!
Have read Girl with a Dragon Tattoo and loved it! The Shakespeare Secret was surprisingly rather interesting to me.
Stephanie mentioned Jen Lancaster and I have to say I LOVE her books. Perfectly snarky, hilarious reads if you want some humor!
Unfortunately my to-be-read shelf is twice as big as yours, and I’m lagging. 🙁