It's a Mann's world: July 2011

I had misplaced my book journal for a few days & was worried I wouldn’t be able to remember what I’d read to do my post this month. Thankfully I found it a bit ago so here we are…

The Castaways by Elin Hlderbrand

Synopsis from Shelfari:
Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed. Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life.

This book was pretty good. It’s another one told from several character’s points of view. I was interested in this story right from the beginning & enjoyed the author’s writing style. I didn’t really care for the adultery in the story, but otherwise it was good. I’ll definitely be looking for more of her books.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Synopsis from Shelfari:
A dazzling novel in the most untraditional fashion, this is the remarkable story of Henry DeTamble, a dashing, adventuresome librarian who travels involuntarily through time, and Clare Abshire, an artist whose life takes a natural sequential course. Henry and Clare's passionate love affair endures across a sea of time and captures the two lovers in an impossibly romantic trap, and it is Audrey Niffenegger's cinematic storytelling that makes the novel's unconventional chronology so vibrantly triumphant. An enchanting debut and a spellbinding tale of fate and belief in the bonds of love, The Time Traveler's Wife is destined to captivate readers for years to come.

Loved this book! I was a little unsure at first as I was quite confused by the time traveling, but it became much easier to follow. It’s books like these that make me wonder how authors come up with their stories. The story is so detailed & complex and yet easy to read. It’s also been made into a movie, but I don’t hear good things about it. I’ll probably watch it anyway. I would highly recommend this book.

Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo

Synopsis from Shelfari:
When Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder, is called to a farm in the Amish community of Painter's Creek, nothing could prepare her for the horror and tragedy she encounters. Solly and Rachel Slabaugh, and his brother Abel, have drowned in the hog pit leaving the four children as orphans. As the investigation progresses, it seems that the Slabaugh deaths were not an accident, and the case suddenly becomes a murder enquiry. Agent John Tomasetti and Kate have worked together before, and now he is called back to Painter's Creek to help seek out the perpetrators of what appear to be serious hate crimes against the Amish. Whether these crimes and the Slabaugh murders are linked is hard to establish because the Amish are very proud and private people who do not enjoy involvement from outside. As the case deepens, Kate develops a bond with the children, particularly the 15-year-old daughter, Solome. Maybe she is reminded of herself at that age, and maybe there's something about this case which stirs up memories for her. The events surrounding the deaths puzzle her - something doesn't feel right. As more information comes to light, a tragic incident turns into something much more shocking.

This is the third book in a series about Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder & the small town of Painter’s Mill, OH. {you can read my thoughts on the first two books here and here.} As with the first two, I loved this book. The author is really able to convey the emotions & suspense of the story. It seems there are going to be more books in this series & I couldn’t be happier about that.

I’m six months into keeping a journal of what books I’ve read & posting about them here. I don’t know about you, but I’m really enjoying it.

Here are the links to this year’s posts so far:

January, February, March, April, May

Our neighborhood doesn’t have a pool, nor does anyone we know. Therefore, we don’t go swimming very often. It seems that each year, the few times that we do manage to get to a pool, Jboy is either super cautious or super comfortable. There’s not a whole lot in between. {you can read about past pool experiences here, here and here.}

This year we decided that he needed to take swimming lessons to become more comfortable. Thanks to Chris’ parents, we were able to sign him up for lessons at the local YMCA.

Overall he seemed to enjoy them… until it was time to jump into the pool at the end of each session. He did NOT care for that. At all. By the end of the two weeks, he was doing better, though he still hated the jumping in.

We’re going swimming with Pam & Ethan in a couple of days so hopefully he’ll get to practice some of what he learned.

Here are a few pictures: