I have several books competing for my attention lately. A look at my sidebar indicates that I currently have three books going and I am not close to finishing any of them. They are all very good. However, I have decided to feed my latest obsession and finding myself in a bookstore yesterday I purchased two other books that have been consuming my attention.

I found out this morning that I snagged a copy of "Have You Found Her: A Memoir" by Janice Erlbaum from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer Program . I am looking forward to reading this!

Michelle from 1 More Chapter was kind enough to add my name to a drawing that she was having for a book giveaway. I won Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather. Since I am participating in the 2008 A-Z Challenge this year, I will use this book for my "X" author. Now, to find my "X" title.

Thanks so much, Michelle!

Amal Rifa'i and Odelia Ainbinder
150 pages

Reason for Reading:
Triple 8 Challenge, Book Around the World, Expanding Horizons Challenge.

Amal Rifa'i(a pseudonym used for her protection) and Odelia Ainbinder are teenagers who met through a student exchange program to Switzerland. Amal is Palestinian and Odelia is Israeli. Their first meeting wasn't great but through the mediation of a foreign correspondant, they were able to start a frank discussion about what it is like for each side in the conflict that rages in their homeland.

After arriving home from a pleasant day of shopping with my family yesterday, I found a package that contained The Shipping News. I won this in a drawing from Michelle over at 1 More Chapter . I was excited to have received it and can't wait to read it! Thanks so much Michelle! I love free books and I really love reading your blog!

Susan Gregg Gilmore
293 pages

Reason for Reading: ARC, Pub '08 Challenge

Catherine Grace Cline was 6 years old on the hot summer day that her mama went to pick berries, fell into the river, and died. The indelible influence of growing up in a small town without a mother makes Catherine long for the day that she can leave Ringgold, Georgia behind her.

When I received the ARC of this book I thought I was in for a fun, light-hearted read. It was that. It was charming, humorous and fun but it was also touching. The evolution of Catherine's relationship to her sister, father, Sunday School teacher, and next door neighbor, Gloria Jean made reading the whole book worthwhile. However, I enjoyed getting to know the residents of Ringgold, warts and all, and I enjoyed the way that the author drew the story to a close. (4/5)

Yes, I am aware its Monday but this is too good to wait a whole week.
Several of my blogging friends have signed up at The Sunday Salon and brought it to my attention. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon that reading and sharing bookish thoughts with other book-lovers? Thanks to my blogging friends for pointing me to TSS.

This has been a busy weekend and I have had little time for reading or blogging. However, I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that The Sleepy Reader has moved. It can now be found at either of the following URLs:
http://www.thesleepyreader.net   orhttp://readingtoolate.net
I hope to be back in the normal swing of things in the next week with a couple of new book reviews.
Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

Rachel Caine
337 pages

Reason for Reading: What's in a Name Challenge, TBR Challenge '08

Back of the Book:
"Joanne Baldwin is a Weather Warden. Usually, all it takes is a wave of her hand to tame the most violent weather. But now, she's trying to outrun another kind of storm: accusations of corruption and murder. So, she's resorting to the very human tactic of running for her life..."

My Thoughts:
I was looking for a book to get lost in this afternoon and this fit the bill perfectly. While it's actually a challenge book for me, it would have been great in the "Justforthehelluvit" category too.

I loved the whole different twist on magical powers in this story. There are three types of Wardens: Earth, Fire and Weather. Each has it's particular benefits but they work best in conjunction with Djinn.

Michael Connelly
391 pages
Read for: The Book Awards Challenge

Terry McCaleb used to be a top FBI profiler but the stress has taken it's toll on him. He suffers a heart attack which leaves him him in need of a heart transplant. He receives his heart transplant and is recovering at his boat when Graciela, the sister of his heart donor, shows up and asks him to help her find her sister's killer. Things get twisty from there.

But I don't think they will be counting toward my challenge.

Lisa Samson
325 pages
Library Book

From Barnes & Noble -"Heather Curridge has it all, and she loves her stuff. But every year she thinks there must be more to life--she must be made for more than this.
Heather is coming unhinged, and people are starting to notice. What's wrong with a woman who has everything, and yet still feels miserable inside?
Yet when Heather wrecks her Suburban and spends the summer with two Quaker spinsters and a crusty nun in a downtown homeless shelter, she suddenly finds herself at a crossroads.

Michael Connelly
Audiobook

Jack McEvoy is a crime reporter for a Denver newspaper. He is good writer and a skilled investigator. However, the story hits too close to home when his twin brother, Sean apparently commits suicide. Jack refuses to believe it and begins to find evidence that supports his theory. What follows is a page-turning maze of twists and turns that kept me interested right through the ending.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. Toward the middle of the book I started to suspect that it was going in a certain direction. I was really disappointed when it appeared that I was right. Later on though, the story takes a sharp turn that I didn't even suspect. I love when that happens! It makes me glad that I have more Connelly novels to look forward to. (4.5/5)

Lori Copeland
141 pages
Read "Justforthehelluvit"

Back of the Book:
"It’s that time of year again, and with excitement and high expectations, Rose has planned the perfect Christmas for her family and friends. But when she feels them drifting away during a time that should celebrate togetherness, Rose is forced to slow down in the most unexpected way. In this whimsical, uplifting story, she discovers the true meaning of giving."

My Thoughts:

Kim Harrison
416 pages

Reason for Reading: TBR Challenge'08

Back of the Book:
"All the creatures of the night gather in "the Hollows" of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party ... and to feed.

Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining -- and it’s Rachel Morgan's job to keep that world civilized."

My Thoughts:

Kristin Hannah
479 pages

Reason for Reading: LT Early Reviewers ARC, Pub '08 Challenge, A-Z Challenge, Chunkster Challenge.

From the Publisher:

Barbara Delinsky
317 pages

Reason for Reading: ARC from publisher, Pub '08 Challenge

Back of the Book:
"Deborah Monroe and her daughter, Grace, are driving home from a party when their car hits a man running in the dark. Grace was at the wheel, but Deborah sends her home before the police arrive, determined to shoulder the blame for the accident. Her decision then turns into a deception that takes on a life of its own and threatens the special bond between mother and daughter."

My Thoughts:
I found this to be a very interesting story of the complexity of family relationships. It deftly illustrates how no decision we make is without repercussions for our family members.
Deborah chooses to shoulder the responsibility for Grace's actions and inadvertently touches off a chain reaction of events that leads to family confessions about pressure, expectations and what it means to be accepted and loved in a family.

In this week I could manage to review only one book, that too a Tintin one, The Lake of Sharks. Comic books take less time to read and review. A new house entails a lot of work. Although I am nicely enconsed in my new home, all those paperwork for banks etc has to be completed. In India, nothing gets done by telephone or the internet. One has to go there and get things done.

Geraldine Brooks
368 pages

Reason for Reading: Pub'08 Challenge, Interest.

From the Publisher:

Leisha Kelly
Library Book
152 pages

Back of the Book: "It is December of 1932, just one year after the Worthams and the Hammonds lost both a dear mother and a selfless friend in one terrible night. What would certainly be a bittersweet occasion turns to crisis when Goeroge Hammond disappears, leaving his many children worried and alone.
Can Julia Wortham restore hope and joy to so may forlorn children? With too may mouths, too little money, and a mysterious illness taking hold of some the children, she has her doubts that God will pull them through.

Dalia Sofer
338 pages

Reason for Reading: Expanding Horizons Challenge, Triple 8 Challenge, Book Around the World, and The Notable Books Challenge.

On the Flap
"In the aftermath of the Iranian revolution, rare-gem dealer Isaac Amin is arrested, wrongly accused of being a spy. Terrified by his disappear-ance, his family must reconcile a new world of cruelty and chaos with the collapse of everything they have known."

My Thoughts:

This Sunday morning has been a little more hectic than most but this afternoon promises to be a quiet one for reading.

I only managed to finish one title this week. I had been looking forward to reading it for quite a while since I enjoy the urban fantasy genre from time to time for a little fun & light reading.

I could only read two books in the past book. Considering, one was 688 pages and the other 415, I think I did well. Both were difficult and thoughtful reads.

One was Roots by Alex Haley and the other, Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Both deal with the slave trade in America. After reading the former, I had to re-read the latter. Both left me asking questions and made major impact on my mind. That too despite knowing about slavery all along.

I opened my mail today and thought I had received a book that I ordered from paperbackswap.com. However, it was my Secret Santa gift from the Blogger Christmas Exchange. My Secret Santa was Melissa from Book Nut. As a gift, I received my very own copy of "More Book Lust" by Nancy Pearl! There couldn't be a better gift for a compulsive list-maker like me.

Colleen Gleason
334 pages
On my Bookshelves

This is my second title for the 2nds Challenge hosted by Thoughts of Joy

Ok...since the end of the year is quickly approaching, I decided to head over to A Novel Challenge and see if there were any challenges that I could add to my list without adding any more books to my schedule. Sort of a challenge within a challenge. I wanted to join this challenge and it worked out perfectly:

hosted by Annie from Words by Annie

I would call this a fruitful week in the sense that I finished two difficult books. The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, which took me a long time to finish. However, when I finally completed, I felt it is worthwhile. I have a good mind to re-read it again and I know I will savour it.

I also finished The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. This I read, while travelling to and fro for my seminar being conducted in another part of Delhi. I liked this very much. This is Eco's first book and he has done a great job of it. I look forward to read more from him. I will check out his other works. What I loved about this book is that it is entirely based on a library and revolves in and around it. By the description one can almost feel as if one is inside that mysterious library.

I found this meme at Wendy's site and thought it looked fun.

What is your favorite color?

<---But not that particular shade!