Well, the kiddos (and their mama) are out of town for spring break and for me that means one thing – all the time in the world to read. I get up in the morning and read before work – then after work it’s straight home to read until I can’t stay awake. I figure I’ll spend more time reading this week than I will sleeping or working – I’m shooting for more than 8 hours a day – more on Saturday. Below is a partial list of what I’m reading – some of it I’ll finish, but there are other books that I’ll read that didn’t make the list, and still others that I have no idea right now that I’ll be reading, but I’ll get there. I’ll miss the family, but I’m going to enjoy the reading time as much as I possibly can. Anyway, here’s what I’m reading:

Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantes.

This is the big literary buzz book right now. It’s getting great reviews everywhere. I’ve already blogged about it here. It comes out next week and Karl will be here on May 12th. It’s also our May First Editions Club pick. It’s already into a second printing so by May it ought to be a much sought after First Edition. Matterhorn is a great big war novel, but it doesn’t read long – it also doesn’t read like just another war novel. Don’t get me wrong, it is about war, the characters are at war, but it’s really a novel like any other great novel – it’s a novel about people in different situations and how they handle tough situations. I’ve been reading for a couple of weeks and really enjoying it – I started it so that we could be sure that we want to pick it for the club, but I’m glad that I have this week to finish it because I need to start reading a book that I should have read months ago – the author is going to be here next week…

The Surrendered by Chang-rae Lee.

As soon as I finish Matterhorn, I’m going to start reading Chang-rae Lee. The Surrendered is our April First Editions Club pick. Maggie has already written a blog about it here and Lisa read it a few weeks ago and loved it – she’s planning on writing a blog on it soon. I’ve personally never read Chang-rae Lee, but heard about him from my friends Matt and Zack – they are big fans of Lee’s second novel The Gesture Life. John has said to me–and I believe it to be true–that the bookstore is built book by book–one book leads to another–we suggest a book to you and you suggest a book to us. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve bought books on customer suggestions and that makes our store a better store. I can’t wait to get into this book. Chang-rae Lee will be signing at the bookstore on March 22nd.

Caught by Harlan Coben.

Harlan Coben is coming to the store on Monday, March 29. When they called me about setting this up I was familiar with his writing, but had never read him – now I’m an addict. I’ve been reading them back to back to back – I think I’ve read 6 or 7 of them and I’m not stopping. Caught is great, but so is The Woods and Hold Tight. I think Harlan Coben is the master of the cliff hanger or the twist. It seems like every book twists and turns so much and each chapter leaves you hanging on for more. Another added bonus with Coben is that in his author photo he has a completely shaven head – whenever my two year old son sees it he exclaims da da.

The Male Brain by Louann Brizendine.

I can honestly say that Dr. Brizendine’s earlier book on The Female Brain has affected my parenting more than any other book. Not because it gives any parenting rules or advice, but because I’m able to understand the basic difference between girls and boys enough to not be too worried. I promise that I would have thought that my son had something wrong with him if I had not read The Female Brain. After having a little girl who is so relational and connective – and she learned to talk so fast – I honestly would have been concerned when my second child was a boy who still can’t really communicate his needs. Reading The Female Brain made me immediately aware that these developmental differences have nothing to do with the intelligence of the particular child, but are physical differences due to brain chemistry. My little boy will catch up eventually.  The Male Brain is along the same lines from the opposite point of view. And yes, the male brain is exactly where you think it is. John blogged on The Female Brain here when it was a new book in 2007.

A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O’nan.

This is the book that my book club is reading and we’re meeting on Friday night so I’d better get home and start reading.

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