In My Mailbox #1

Here's something I've seen on other blogs: In My Mailbox

Today, specifically, these books were literally in my mailbox from PaperBack Swap:

1. The Bell Jar

2. The Glass Castle

3. The Tortilla Curtain

4. Three Cups of Tea

First book complete - Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Title: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Author: Helen Simonson
Edition: Paperback, 384 pages
ISBN: 0812981227
Source: Husband bought on recommendation from Barnes & Noble employee

Summary from Amazon.com Review:
In her witty and wise debut novel, newcomer Helen Simonson introduces the unforgettable character of the widower Major Ernest Pettigrew.  The Major epitomizes the Englishman with the "stiff upper lip," who clings to traditional values and has tried (in vain) to pass these along to his yuppie son, Roger. The story centers around Pettigrew's fight to keep his greedy relatives (including his son) from selling a valuable family heirloom--a pair of hunting rifles that symbolizes much of what he stands for, or at least what he thinks he does. The embattled hero discovers an unexpected ally and source of consolation in his neighbor, the Pakistani shopkeeper Jasmina Ali. On the surface, Pettigrew and Ali's backgrounds and life experiences couldn't be more different, but they discover that they have the most important things in common. This wry, yet optimistic comedy of manners with a romantic twist will appeal to grown-up readers of both sexes. Kudos to Helen Simonson, who distinguishes herself with Major Pettigrew's Last Stand as a writer with the narrative range, stylistic chops, and poise of a veteran. --Lauren Nemroff
My take on it:
I loved this book.  No really, loved it!  And I don't often love the books I read.  This book had great characters, both to love and to want to give a good shake. The struggles the characters faced for both generational and cultural differences were believable, as were their reactions to those challenges.  It was so fun to ride along with the esteemed Major Pettigrew as his previously predictable life was thrown out the window. 

The story was surprising at the right times and had good closure with just enough imperfections.  Don't you hate those books that either end abruptly for no reason or wrap everything up so nicely you know it couldn't ever be real.

This book goes on my list to read again in the future and the author is definitely one for me to watch for her next novel.

If you read this or have read it before, let me know what you think!

Happy Reading,
Robin

What I'm Reading

In process as midnight tolled (don't count for 2011 Challenges):

1. America America - Ethan Canin

2. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson 

Begun today - January 1, 2011

1. The Little Book of Letting Go: A Revolutionary 30-Day Program to Cleanse Your Mind, Lift Your Spirit and Revive Your Soul - Hugh Prather

2. Autobiography of a Pocket Handkerchief - James Fenimore Cooper

Happy Reading!

Robin

2011 Reading Challenges - UPDATED (again)

I've only recently started checking out blogs about other book readers.  (The ones I currently follow are listed in the right margin.) Through those blogs I've found out about reading challenges, and just in time to start in January.  I've joined two so far:
1. 100+ Reading Challenge for 2011 - read 100 books in 2011 (can't have started them before the new year)
2. Chunkster Reading Challenge 2011 - different levels of commitment to the greater tomes. I've chosen the easiest level - 4 fiction books over 450 pages each.  No e-books; just real, old-fashioned paper books.  This one doesn't officially start until February 1, so I've got some time to get other shorter books done in January.
UPDATED:
3. 2011 The 3 R's Challenge - Read, Review, Recognize - this is the challenge set up by a group of book ladies who met through each others's blogs.  If you see a book recommended on another blog and you like it, review it on your blog and thank them for the recommendation.  Seems easy and I like the recognition part.  I'll try the easy level on this one too - 1-6 books this year.
FURTHER UPDATED:
4. Take a Chance Challenge 3 - I found a new challenge that looks like it'll be super fun.  There are 10 categories of ways to find new books to read (Staff Membe'rs Choice, Loved One's Choice, etc.).  Check out the link to see them all.  Books can be in any format and can count for other challenges.We'll see how I do with each of these.
5. What's in a name 4 - This challenge has 7 categories for books to choose, based on the titles (Book with a NUMBER in the title, Book with a SIZE in the title, etc.).  Also sounds fun!
Do you have reading goals for this year?

Robin

First Blog - here we go!

Hello out there to myself, my only reader!  I read and forget too many books each year - not 2011.  This year I pledge to write at least the title/author of every book I read, but hopefully I'll do more than that.  I'll start with any book I have currently unfinished at the stroke of midnight tonight and continue through the year. 

Also, I'm going to see join some reading challenges - 100 books in a year, specifically.  Shouldn't be too hard, right? 

Maybe I'll talk about more than books.  Maybe I'll let other people know I'm writing.

Here's to a new year!
Robin