Sunday, July 11, 2010

Summer Reading

DH and I will soon celebrate FIFTEEN years of marriage! I just can't believe it. We were married when I was a wee babe of 23. Now I understand why my parents hoped we'd wait a year! We were babies. However, we had dated for a long time and we knew that the Lord had chosen us for one another. Fifteen years later, there are no doubts in my mind that DH is "the one". He is a precious blessing to me and our five children. He is intelligent, a hard worker, smart, determined, full of integrity, and about as funny as they come. I am so thankful!
I'm even more thankful that we are going to spend some time away together, just-the-two-of-us, later this month. We are going to sleep, sleep some more, take naps, swim, sail, and sit by the pool. So, I need your help, dear readers. I need a good book to read. However, I have a few requests... it must be interesting but light-hearted, I can't read about harm to a child, I can't read about someone going crazy and killing a family, and I can't read a lot about death or stalkers. Years and years ago I tried to read "The Lovely Bones", and I couldn't do it because I had become a mother. Before our triplets were born, I could read anything and the more psychotic the characters, the more I enjoyed dissecting their minds. However, now those kinds of stories haunt me if I am away from our sweet ones. One time someone called at 2am the night before we were going out of town. I almost couldn't leave town because of the unknown caller. You get my point. I love Southern literature. I love to laugh. We all love a good love story. What do you suggest?

22 comments:

Kim said...

I was 23 when I got married 24 years ago and now that I have a 23 yr. old daughter....well, I sure can't imagine her married! Seems crazy, but like in your case, it all worked out!

I'm a big fan of light reading, but I tend to go for the junky $7.99 romance novels from the drugstore for the beach or vacation. Karen White has some good books, just read On Folly Beach--I think she has more of that genre as well as a couple set in Charleston that are a bit different than the beachy ones.

Have a great time on your vacation!

bevy said...

Mary Kay Andrews? Great light reading!

Oh, and have a ball, you two!

Mama K said...

The Help is a good southern book...but not very light (some parts will make you laugh though!)

Redeeming Love is a good Christian book (there might be something about a hurt child...but not too bad)

Same Kind of Different As Me is soooo goood! Kinda deep, made me cry...but still sooo good.

Okay, I'm not good at this... but these are all great books... the last one especially will inspire you, and the first and second are just plain good.

Let us know what you end up choosing :)

And Congratulations on 15 years!! I'm about to celebrate 4 on the 29th :)

Mama K said...

Gotta add The Glass Castle... even if you don't read it on your trip... I would definitely suggest reading it sometime (not too light either!)

Suburban Princess said...

That's the reason I limit my reading to anything but tragic stories and my tv to real housewives!

EverydaySoirees said...

How about Saving CeCe Honeycut? Light, easy to read Southern Literature. Or, the Red Hat Club. It has been around a while, but is really cute - good old Atlanta society! Enjoy your time!

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful vaca!!!! I just finished The Help this evening. It was wonderful!

The 5 Bickies said...

I think Mary Kay Andrews books look like fun! They will have to wait until I finish the Ex-Debutante written by the same author as the Devil in the Junior League which was very fun.

Happy Anniversary! I am so glad you are going to have a few days away!

Sarah Denley said...

Have to disagree with the person who suggested Redeeming Love. It is one of my ALL TIME favorites, but (SPOILER ALERT) there are parts that had me in tears (a young girl getting raped and brutalized). I was going to suggest The Help, but I felt sure you'd already read it!

Jessica Ryan said...

The Help was one of my all time favorites. I also loved The Glass Castle... some parts are a little tough but she is a beautiful and talented writer and in the end you'll be so happy you read it. I have just purchased the memoir called Summer at Tiffany's and two food memoirs by Ruth Reichl, food critic for the New York Times. They are wonderful and charming, one is called Tender to the Bone and the other is Comfort me with Apples. They are beautifully written as the writer returns to her youth... and finally you must read a book by Ellen Hilderbrand. She is a Nantucket native and all her stories are set on the island. It would be a perfect homework assignment for you!

North of 25A said...

Congratulations! I totally understand about reading the tough stuff... Right now I am reading "The Three Weissmans of Westport" and "Fifth Avenue, 5:00 AM" - I loved "The Help" - and I also just read "Rebecca" - you can also look at the best seller lists; they will usually give you a little snippet about the book.

Henley on the Horn said...

Yes, I LOVED "The Help"!! I read it a year ago and HIGHLY recommend it. "The Glass Castle" was another great book for those of you who haven't read it. I will look into these other great suggestions! I'm excited. Thanks, y'all!!!

Southern Living: Preppy Style said...

Yes, loved the Help. Also love Jen Lancaster books for a good laugh! Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'Easter is a good lift-me-up. I also enjoyed any prepster book, like the Overnight Socialite. Super easy reads.

Elizabeth said...

I just finished The Help and American Wife and I enjoyed both of them. I also echo the recommendation for The Glass Castle- it is by far my favorite book ever! DH read it too and also loved it.

Travelbugmom said...

OK...my list is long...YOU ASKED!!! Most of my recommendations are older books which I'm not sure you have read, but they remain on my EASY READ, enjoyable list!
The Red Tent - Anita Diamant [you prob. read this and it has many characters, but it's biblical fiction]
Sister of my Heart - Chitra Divakaruni [my book club all loved this when I picked it years ago]
The Reading Group - Elizabeth Noble [ has an English feel like bridget's Jone's diary]
on the same lines..
Angry housewives eating bon bons...fun read
Snowflower and the Secret fan - Lisa See [ like Geisha but easier read]
and lastly and Emily Griffen....BRAINLESS FUN READS...appropriately for an anniversary weekend...
Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof...etc....
Enjoy yourselves!

3 Peanuts said...

The Help...hands down one of the best books I have read in YEARS and I am a big time reader.

We will celebrate 15 years this year too. I am wishing and hoping for a trip away but we don't have anyone to watch the peanuts as of yet.


Happy happy Anniversary!!!

3 Peanuts said...

Just saw that you read the Help... LOVED Saving Ce Ce Honeycutt too!!!

Cool Gal said...

I am currently reading "The House on Tradd Street." I like it a lot.

"Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons" is good, too.

Of course, I could read "To Kill a Mockingbird" over and over again.

Glad to hear you will get some alone time with your mister. Every couple needs to get away once in a while. Yay! :)

Town and Country House said...

Hope I'm not too late to weigh in, but I bet you would love something by Beth Webb Hart. She is southern, light, inspirational without being preachy. I'm away from home at the moment, but her latest book is about a group of women who coordinate the weddings at an Episcopal church outside Charleston, SC. Funny and sweet with lots of southern food and interior details. Have a great time with your husband!

Sweet Southern Prep said...

Wow! 15! That's so great! I hope y'all have a wonderful anniversary. :)

Just a heads up, I've got an award for you tomorrow. :)

Grateful for Grace said...

To Kill a Mockingbird is my suggestion. Southern. Classic. 50years old this year. It is powerful and poignant. It doesn't totally meet your requirements, but it's so wonderful.

vi

Beth said...

The American WIfe is awesome...fiction based on laura and George Bush. Mary Kay Andrews is my favorite...I am reading The Fixer Upper right now. Wish we were going with you!