My Spring Reading...with strawberries on top!

I know this is already going to be a bit long...but before I launch into my reviews, I just wanted to mention how much fun my little girls and I had picking strawberries today!

We went to a U-pick farm that we know, where the view is spectacular...and they even have a play structure and a few little goats!
The weather was absolutely wonderful after all the rain and chilly temps we've been having. It actually got a little hot picking all those ripe berries!
But wouldn't you know...I forgot my camera! You'll just have to visualize the rolling hills and beautiful farm land, blue skies with smattering of white, fluffy clouds, and my girls looking cute in their little sun hats. Sorry.
But don't you love the close-up of our strawberries....? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I type this, the last hours of Spring are coming to a close and summer is about to officially begin.
That means only one thing- it's time for me to talk a bit about the books I managed to read for the Spring Reading Thing. (A big thank you to Katrina for hosting this!)

As usual, I didn't actually read all the books I had hoped to for my challenge. But the good thing about making a list is that it helps you to follow through with seeking out those books...picking them off the shelves...and actually turning a few pages!

Here's my original list, composed in March. Take a quick jump to the link and you'll see all of my hoped for reading.
Here's what I actually read:

Fiction:

Sisterchicks in Gondolas! by Robin Jones Gunn.

Although she is one of my favorite authors, I actually like the Glenbrook series which she wrote even better than the current Sisterchicks series. And that being said, I like some Sisterchicks books more than others.
Sisterchicks in Gondolas takes two friends to their obvious destination- Venice. A place I always thought would be wonderful to visit. But reading this account left the desire in me waning...and that is not necessarily the fault of Gunn, but perhaps simply a realistic account of how Venice sadly now is...extremely crowded and a bit shabby in places.
However, it was not just the description that I didn't love...but the story line and characters did not really draw me in all that much.
Simply stated: It was just a so-so ride down the canal for me.

At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon

I had heard way too much about this series to hold out any longer, so decided to take the plunge. As I plucked it from the shelf of my church's wonderful library, though, I was surprised on how thick this first one was! (So this should count as two books, right?)
Since I'm a Mayberry kind of gal, I knew life in a small town would appeal to me...and I was right. I just loved reading about Father Tim, a bachelor rector set in his ways, who takes on a big wild pup, and later a slightly wild boy- both who disrupt his quiet life but end up giving him so much in return. (And then he meets an attractive neighbor woman, too, to upset his life that much more!)
I found the first half of the book to be kind of like a pleasant stroll...but the second half actually pretty exciting and I didn't want to put it down!
I thought Jan Karon does an fantastic job making the characters come to life.
In fact, I started the second book this week, and I already am wondering how Father Tim is doing where I last left him off...I really should go pick it back up and check in on him! :)

Stranded in Paradise by Lori Copeland

Well, it started off pretty interesting. And seeing how my last trip to Hawaii had it's share of disasters, it felt sort of good to read about someone else's.
But as things progressed, the disasters- both big and small- began to be so much that I was growing weary of it all!
She meets a nice, Christian man- who though she gets off on the wrong foot with at their meeting, begins to share her many Maui misfortunes with and he is able to lead her to the Lord.
However, though I've liked other books by Lori Copeland, the writing and characters were a little lacking for me somehow. Overall, it was OK, but a little tedious...and I think I'll just stay on the mainland for awhile!

Non-fiction:

As you might be able to tell, I lean a lot towards fiction books. But I did manage to read most of one -and a little of two- from the non-fiction genre!

Lessons from a Sheepdog by Philip Keller.

This one disappointed me a bit. I loved aspects of this, but after several chapters, I honestly felt that he was being overly repetitious. The true story behind it is beautiful, though, and I love the allegory.
But I actually enjoyed the children's book of this which I read to my girls even more, believe it or not!

Say Good-bye to Whining, Complaining and Bad Attitudes in your Kids by Scott Turansky D. Min. and Joanne Miller R.N., B.S.N.

I loved what I read of this so far...the only reason I haven't finished it yet was that those pesky fiction books kept getting in the way!
I did read several chapters, and I thought the advice is great- very practical!

The Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado

I just started reading this...three chapters so far. I really am liking it a lot and I have a feeling it is only going to get better. I just need to commit to reading a chapter or two every week...like keeping some meat in the diet and not just ice cream (aka non-fiction)!
But I've noticed that it's not heavy at all so far...but speaks right to the heart, telling how God has a plan for each and every one of us if we really take the time to seek this out. So I'm definitely going to finish this one!

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Well, that's it. That's all she read!
I should say, in all seriousness, that I have read some incredible fictional novels in my life that God has used to truly bless and speak to me. So, really I shouldn't say that fiction is just dessert, should I? Well, OK...to me it's ice cream...but even ice cream has some great nutrients!

I'm hoping some of you will also be posting on how you did with your reading challenge and what you liked and maybe didn't. Let me know if you do so I can visit!

Now that I am on a little home school break, I am finding I have some extra time and energy to squeeze even more reading in now days! Ahhhh...if only I had a hammock to go with my strawberries and books, life would be about perfect!

Alright...there's still the housework to do...but a gal can dream!