feelingsandreadings

Enchanted Inc. Shanna Swendson

2008-07-09T14:25:00.000-07:00

Well I just finished the 4th book in this series. I think they are enchanted I could not put them down thanks to "Sparkle" for recommending them to me. Again I am amazed at the stories people have in their heads. You will love the Heroine in this book her name is Katie and she is just so sensible and fun and the wizard she is in love with is adorable. The adventures are fun and the settings in New York and Texas are fabulous. These books are very up to date and so much fun to read I highly recommend them all. I now can't wait until the new one comes out. I love Series because I fall in love with the characters and want to stay in touch with them. This reminds me I also finished the second book in the Free Men and Dreamers series by L.C.Lewis the second book is Twilights last Gleaming. This is a much more serious book and historical fiction showing the state of the Union right before the church was restored to the earth. It just shows you that Heavenly Father is in charge and he knows what he is doing and the people in the book are very human and believable, well that is it for now not sure what is next to read so I welcome your suggestions

Second run through

2008-06-10T09:11:00.000-07:00

Well I enjoyed the "Host" so much that I have reread Twilight and am half way through New Moon I am loving it. I can't tell you how much I am enjoying it the second time around I don't feel in such a hurry because I already know the outcome. If you are reading something good let me know I need something new.

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

2008-05-27T18:57:00.000-07:00

Well I bought the book at Costco and walked around it for a few days. It just didn't sound like my kind of book I am not a science fiction fan and something taking over a body freaked me out. Well I finally read the prologue and then the first chapter and I was hooked. I loved the characters right away. I don't know how Stephanie Meyers has all that in her head and it is so different than the Twilight series. My advice is just read it and you will love it. You will hate it when it ends you fall in love with the characters and want more it is a long book but so very enjoyable.

It's going to be a While....

2008-03-20T10:09:00.000-07:00

It is going to be a while until I write about a book again. I am reading The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedy's and it is an 800 page book. I am loving it and I am so glad that I am reading it. I heard about the book from Doug Wright on his show on KSL. He had the Author Doris Kearns Goodwin on and I was fascinated she was actually talking about her book about Lincoln and so I ordered it and this one from the library and it is fascinating. I already love family history and Irish history is a part of mine even though we didn't come here from Ireland we went to England. Anyway life is good and If you have some time on your hands you should pick up any book by Mrs. Goodwin.

My Darling Niece

2008-03-13T14:07:00.000-07:00

My sweet niece Lisa left a comment on my last post and it just made me want to write about how much we can love those who are a part of us but not with us all the time. I think of her when she was small and so sweet and giving her mother a run for her money and now of the good decisions she is making and I am so pleased and proud of her. Is this how our Father in Heaven feels about us? I am sure it is just a small taste of his joy as he sees his children "Walk in righteousness" I know that nothing brings joy to a parents heart more than when their children make the right choices and live good lives and I am sure that nothing brings sorrow like watching a child who is hurting themselves by their wrong choices. How hard this life must be at times. I am realizing again how careful we must be when we judge others. We just have no idea what our brothers and sisters are going through. Why is it so easy to look at a situation and be so quick to judge. I am trying so hard to be a person who always gives others the benefit of the doubt. I need others to be gracious and forgiving with me and it is the least I can do with those I come in contact with. Well this was not meant to become preachy I just was thinking about Lisa and hoping that she knows how much I love her and how glad I am that we are in the same family.

Dark Sky at Dawn. L.C. Lewis

2008-03-07T07:24:00.000-08:00

Well It's been a while and I am sorry. There has been so much going on around here. I realize that reading is my escape and the way I chose to escape things that are hard . so I am trying to keep the reading to a more manageable level. I have just finished the book "Dark Sky At Dawn." It is book one in a series that is called "Free Men and Dreamers." It is set in the United States in 1812 during a time when the young union is trying to survive and it is touch and go whether it will survive or not. The love Story is delightful and the characters leave you wanting more. L.C. Lewis is an L.D.S. author and this will turn into a story with Mormon themes however in this book it is not even mentioned it is before the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. I loved this book at first it was hard for me as I read about the confusion and the back and forth of a nation preparing for war. Probably because I am sending my husband off to war and you want to think that those in control know what they are doing. However the overall theme is that Heavenly Father knows what he is doing there are no suprises to Him. My faith was strengthened and I came away ready for more. How long will I have to wait for the second book? I am not sure but I will be in line when it gets here.

Sorry for the confusion...

2008-02-12T06:16:00.000-08:00

Sorry there has been a little confusion. The Water and the Blood by Nancy Turner is not a sequel to These is my Words It is a completely different book in a different time. However I now know that there are other books in this series so I will be running out to get them I can hardly wait. Over the weekend I read Sweet Revenge. This is from a series by Diane Mott Davidson and I absolutly love her books. The main character is a caterer from a small town in Colorado and she seems to come upon a dead body when she goes to cater an event. She then spends the rest of the book figuring it out. Goldie is her name and she is so much fun with a great supporting cast of family members. Mrs.Davidson has written 14 books in this series and the most delightful part is the recipes and the wonderful talk about food. The first in the series is called Catering to Nobody. As I said before I love a set of books because I hate to leave the heroine behind I miss them and It was so good to catch up with Goldie again. Go get it and enjoy.

adendum

2008-02-06T06:31:00.000-08:00

Last night as I lay in bed and thought about all the books that I wrote about,I realized that in everyone of these books except "The Kitchen boy." the woman or women are so amazing and strong. I am so amazed at their strength and determination. I just want to immerse myself in the spirit of these women. As I watched and listened to all the coverage about President Hinkley last week I was impressed with his optimism and his work ethic. He used to say you just get up and put one foot in front of another and get to work. This was very apparent after the death of his wife. I felt impressed that I need to cling to this at this difficult time in my life.Corby is only going away for a year and we will be together again in this lifetime and we are so very blessed. My trials and tribulations are nothing compared to the things these women faced and I want to be as strong and determined and rely on my Savior as they do. Anyway if you want to feel empowered these books will do it for you. Camille have you read the other book by Nancy Turner? Let me know what you think it is quite different.

Overwhelmed....

2008-02-05T21:03:00.000-08:00

I am overwhelmed by all the books I have read over the last few weeks I need to write right after I read. I am just so much better at reading than writing. Well lets get started. I read the book that Marilyn Williams recommend "These is my words" by Nancy Turner. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book about a strong woman who loves and overcomes such difficult things in her life. I love strong women who do the best they can in very difficult situations. I gain strength from them. Read this book and if you like it you should read her next book "The Water and the Blood." or the blood and the water. Sorry it's already been a while and the book is back in the library and I am six or seven books away from it. This book takes place in the deep south around the beginning of the 2nd world war. It is sobering and makes me so grateful for the time I live in. The prejudice is disapointing which is not a strong enough word for it. It deals with the relationship between Frosty and her mother and older sister. Her desire to move away from what she has known all her life and it is a very good read. I enjoyed it although not as warm a book as "These is my Words."
Next I read Two books about Russia I think that historical novels are my favorite. "The Kitchen Boy" and "Rasputins Daughter." both by the same author and both about the same time in russian history. It was fascinating to read about the Csar and his family and the amazing Rasputin told from two different points of view. I highly recommend both of these books. Then because I was on a Russian kick I stumbled on a book called " The midwife of St. Petersburg." again it takes place at the time of the Russian Revolution. This is more of a love story and I loved it. The Heroine is good and again making the most out of a difficult situation. I just didn't want this one to end so I emailed the author Linda Lee Chaikin and asked for more and she said she probably would write a sequel. How do they do it writers are amazing that all those stories are in their heads and all the research they do I am so grateful for their talents. Well I decided to read more of her books she is really prolific and has written many books and series of books. I love that because I have a tendency to fall in love with the characters and want more. Well I looked through her list and found this series... #1 Daughter of Silk. #2 Written on Silk. It wasn't the titles that attracted me but the subject matter. These books take place in France during the persecution of the Huguenots the Protestants of that time.Well I am descended from the Huguenots and have many stories that have been handed down. I wanted to read more about this time period and I was not dissapointed. The heroine is a dressmaker in the court of the Queen MOther Catherine De Medici. Just unbelievable wickedness but at the same time the faith of these good people who give up their lives so that we can read the bible in our language this may seem simple but we don't realize that the only reason we have the scriptures today is because of the blood that was shed by people who believed that everyone should be able to read the Saviors words in their own toungue. Yes I think I just got carried away but I for one am so grateful. Any way this love story is so beautiful. Mrs Chaikin is a christian writer and I just have to say how much I love her faith that comes shining through her characters. If you would like any more info about any of these books let me know.
I have also read some books by Shannon Hale who is from Salt Lake City and they are childrens books but so good. The first one is "The Goose Girl." again a very strong young lady who you want your daughter to emulate Abby and Meg love this book. The next in the series is Enna Burning and I haven't read this I am 41 on the list at the library it is in high demand. River secrets is number three and it is brand new. I got it because I volunteer at the school library and they just got it in so I checked it out. I loved this one as much as the first one and can hardly wait to go back to read Enna Burning. She also wrote Princess Academy this is a new set of people in a new country a whole different situation but still a strong kind heroine. Abby was the one who had me read this book. I am done I have three books waiting for me at the library so I am excited. I hope this has helped, again any questions email me at suzcampbell58@msn.com. Goodnight

Here we go again...

2008-01-18T14:56:00.000-08:00

Well it is beginning to sink in after these weeks of not knowing and thinking maybe we would dodge the bullet it is happening. Corby has been called up to go to Afghanistan. He will train here for a month and then he goes to Fort Lewis Washington,that is the state of Washington. He will be there a couple of months and then off to Afghanistan. He will be back March of 2009. I have been praying for the right thing to happen and I am sure this is the right time for our family it still doesn't change the fact that I will be lonely. I am not sure if this is the right venue for me to whine and be honest or if I should just put a brave face on it all the time. Well today has been hard it is grey outside and I don't feel real good and so that makes it worse. I need to give myself time to process and not be hard on myself. I have the most wonderful friends and ward and I shall not want for anything I will just miss my precious husband who is everything to me. I am so blessed and spoiled he is always so good to me and I hate it when he is gone too long. I do however believe in what he is doing and know how much he loves doing it. I will support him and start thinking about all the things I will do to make the time go faster. I am surrounded by such wonderful people and I am grateful for their words of support that I have already recieved. Corby starts out at Camp Williams on tuesday.

The Ultimate Gift...

2008-01-02T20:03:00.000-08:00

We rented the Ultimate gift and watched it tonight Abby Meg and I. We all really enjoyed it. Gave us so much to think about. It came highly recommended and now we in turn are going to recommend it. This holiday we also watched Hairspray and The new Harry Potter. I think I liked this Harry the best. Still two more shows to go for Harry I wonder if they will continue to be so good.I am still not sure what I thought about Hairspray great singing and dancing good message I just couldn't forget that John Travolta was the mother. Meg and Jesse started back to school today and Cooper tomorrow I got all the christmas stuff put away so I feel like I accomplished something. Such a beautiful day to be alive I love living in Draper and just being able to walk out the back door and walk for miles. Tomorrow will be a great day too because Angie is going to have her baby I am so excited for her.

Eat Pray Love

2007-12-19T06:34:00.000-08:00

It has taken me a little while to write about "Eat Pray Love" by Liz Gilbert I did enjoy it. I didn't feel like it changed my life but it is so interesting to read about people who are trying so very hard to find the meaning of life. It is a good reminder of what is important. I do feel the need to enjoy each moment and not try to hurry through each event and check it off. It makes me so very grateful for what I know. The purpose of life and why I am here. I do believe that becoming a better person who is more in control and who learns to love is well on the way to being happy. That is what people are searching for. I need to meditate more just take time to think and work things out and communicate with my Heavenly Father. I so enjoy walking everyday because I can just think and pray while I walk. Well I think what I am saying is I did enjoy this book she is a very likable person and I would recommend this book. Be careful if you are squeamish about sex because she is not shy and the F word is in there a couple of times. If any one is interested I just read two books by Marion Hale they are Historical novels for young adults One is about the great flood in Texas in 1900 and the other is about a family during the depression who move to Texas. I enjoyed them both very much and highly recommend them. I am sorry I have forgotten the titles. I learned so much about the period and the amazing resiliency of people and families. Enjoy.

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow

2007-12-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

I love the snow and we need it badly. I wish for a storm or two a week. I do hate to drive in ti but it has to be done. It is so nice to have a drive way Corby and I cleared it off a couple of times on Saturday just because we can. Doesn't take much to make us happy. I will be taking Black Jack for a walk today because it is warm and wonderful outside. I just finished a great book by an L.D.S. author called Grave Secrets. It is a thriller and very good with a little family history mixed in not enough to make you feel guilty but maybe to get you interested. My good friend Mona gave it to me and I enjoyed it. Brit you need to show your mother how to get to this blog. Also I will read the book "eat pray whatever" Lisa has it and so I will borrow it form her. Merry Christmas to you all and more snow on the morrow

The lovely bones by Alice Sebold

2007-11-21T06:32:00.000-08:00

Wow I just finished this book and I am amazed. It is always interesting to read some one's idea of heaven and this book makes me lonely. I am grateful for My understanding of the life after this. It is a hard book to read.It's the story of a young girl who is raped and murdered in her own neighbourhood by a man who lives a few doors away from her. This is very gritty stuff it deals with the grief of her family and school mates. She can see the killer cover his tracks and learns of his other victims. There is quite a bit of sexual content so be warned. I had known about this book for a long time and hadn't had the courage to read it but I am glad that I did. At this time of year it makes you want to hold those you love very close and just enjoy the being together. I would recommend this book because once again it made me appreciate all that I know and all those that I love.

Blog envy

2007-11-14T08:25:00.000-08:00

I have just been checking all my friends blogs and enjoying it so much but the majority of them are the young mother set. It is making me nostalgic and leaves me wondering why I was such an unimaginative mother.Cooper is home sick today so I did hold him close while we watched Luke's birthday video from Alisa. I read Katie's, Britney's T.C.s Brooke's Brandi my sister in law, and Camille's and just am in awe at these amazing women and the blessed little children they have. Thank you all so much for sharing your selves with us. Abby and Lisa it's always fun to read your stuff but you are both busy and I can't even identify with your crazy lives. Tammy you haven' updated in a while and Vickie I think you need to start blogging with your sense of humor it would be great fun to read. Well I guess I just have blog envy and I will have to deal with it. I have just finished some great children's books. Hero's Song and Fire Arrow. they are from the series Eirren's song. they are written by Edith Pattou and so good especially for boys 10 and up. I really liked them I am enjoying reading children's lit.

Happy Veterans Day

2007-11-12T15:13:00.000-08:00

The weather outside is so beautiful and Black Jack and I enjoyed our walk so much. It rained yesterday and so I appreciate the good weather whenever we have it. I have so much to be grateful for. Corby and I celebrated veterans day by going to the concert at the U of U. Yes he had to go but I was still glad that we did. I am so grateful for those who served and died so that I can live in this amazing free country. I am overwhelmed by the blessing of agency. I feel like I have come this far in my life without appreciating and understanding agency and the freedom to chose. I want to teach my children that the freedom to chose is the most important thing in the world we fought a war before we came here which is what we continue to fight here and now. The world conflicts are repeated in our homes and lives on a constant basis as we chose to do what is right and to fight for freedom for all of Gods children. I am so proud of my Husband my dad and my father-in-law we have a legacy of freedom fighters in our family.

Abrams Daughters by Beverly Lewis

2007-11-07T15:33:00.001-08:00

I haven't written because I have been reading. Corby had guard this weekend and so I had lots of uninterrupted time. I finished off the Abrams daughters series by Beverly Lewis and I loved them. I will miss the characters. What faith and devotion I was uplifted and satisfied when I finished. Corby said "trust you to find a religion that is stricter than ours to get into." Any way the first one is called the Covenant and there are five books altogether enjoy. Can you believe this wonderful weather? I love this time of year. I need to say a big thank you to my wonderful friends who came over and helped me stain my bathroom cabinets you are the best. Well I am going to exercise so have a great evening.

What a relief

2007-11-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

I can not even express my feelings of relief that I do not have cancer in my right breast. It is full of cyst's but they say they are benign and not cancerous. I was so stressed lying there on that bed while she was doing the ultra sound. I just kept thinking what am I going to be feeling come 6:00 oclock this evening, am I going to be so happy or so heavy with the thoughts of the fight ahead of me. I am exhausted so I am going to take a nap to put me back toghether again. Thanks to you all for your prayers and thoughtjulness.

Indian Summers... I love them!

2007-10-31T12:24:00.000-07:00

What an amazingly beautiful day. Mona and I walked and it just couldn't be more glorious. The colors on the trees are vivid and I just feel spoiled to live in such a beautiful spot. Well I am a little freaked out today just thinking about things that it isn't worth thinking about but I guess that is to be expected. Hey I do get to go to the new hospital so that is cool. Anyway I shall take a nap eat chocolate then read a book in that order and I will be fine. It's a great life.

Happy birthday Mom

2007-10-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

I chose this picture today just because I love it and it is my mother in law's birthday on friday. It was taken at Katie's wedding and my Jesse is missing because he had to work but we are all so happy. So happy for Katie and Roger and just happy to be together. I don't need big vacations and huge events to be happy just the get together's and the dinners. These all mean so much. It is Mom Campbells birthday on friday and we are all getting together for dinner on saturday I love to be with corby's family they mean so much to me. They are suupportive and non judgemental, which sure mean't a great deal when my kids were little. They love me and I love them. I will be happy to be half as good as my mother in law when this life is over.Mom I love you Suzanne

2007-10-30T08:56:00.000-07:00

Happy day

2007-10-29T17:35:00.001-07:00

I have just spent a fabulous afternoon in my garden. I love to do yard work especially this time of year. I planted my bulbs and then my pansies on top. Vickie if you have any bulbs you don't know what to do with let me know. You think you are buying way to much and it is barely enough. Last night I finished the second book in the series Abrams Daughters by Beverly Lewis. I loved it I am ready to be Amish! Just kidding they work way too hard and they can't read "made up" stories they would be suprised to see how many books they are in. I have the 3rd and the 4th being sent to the library I have the 5th right here and it is all I can do to not start it and just not read the other two.Well its been a great day thanks to all of you who have called and are now worried about me. I kind of forgot that I had written about the mamogram when I got all excited to give you the blog instructions. I apologize and really I am not worried I will after thursday if I need too. Oh the second book is called The Betrayal.

Here we go again!!!

2007-10-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

I just received a phone call from the new cottonwood hospital the mammogram came back suspicious. Here we go again. Its not the first time I have been called back since the first breast cancer this breast is lumpy and painful on occasion. If I remember to take the vitamin E it's usually okay. This last week when I went in for the Mammogram the breast especially around the nipple was very tender. It seems to me that it happens every three months it is unusually tender. Anyway Thursday I go in and have it done again. I am writing it here because I do regret that I didn't document the breast cancer experience better the last time.

Here goes

2007-10-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

Well here goes. I have just finisher "The Covenant" by Beverly Lewis and it was very good. It takes place in Amish country but instead of trying to make them look foolish and outdated they are good and faithful. You can't help but be drawn in by both sisters Leah and Sadie as they reach "Courting age" There are more books in the series and I plan on reading them all. this past week I read Freedom Factor by Gerald Lund who I love. This is not an L.D.S. novel it is about the importance of the Constitution and it is told in such an interesting way. Quite the thriller I loved it. I also read "The Divine Appointment." This was really good also. About a Christian President and his choice for a Supreme court justice. It also is a thriller and takes place in Washington D.C. It is a christian movel and I enjoyed it.

Oh my heck I did it

2007-10-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

Well I've done it. I am not even sure if I will be able to find this ever again I am so computer illiterate. However I have been inspired by a few of my friends to get started and I think I have things to say. Those who know me well should be concerned I always have plenty to say. I am a voracious reader many books a week. Corby has been gone for two weeks and I think I have read at least seven books. That truly is the benefit of being a stay at home mom and every one in school. I didn't read while my children were young because I can't put a book down and then I would be ornery with them. So I am making up for lost time. I grew up without T.V. and so I read. It is my escape and favorite thing to do except be with my family and friends. Yes talking trumps reading. I thought that I could write short reviews about the books I read so that you could read them if you wanted. I think it is hard to find good books that aren't embarresing and like to read what some one else that I trust recommends. I volunteer in the library at the school Cooper goes to and the Librarian has been so great to tell me of her favorite books and I have had many hours of great reading. I also want to use this to comment about the things I am interested in and enjoy.