30 Day Book Challenge: Day 13, 14 & 15

Ah hell, I have to post 3 days in one because I’ve been a slacker. Can I blame the election craziness for keeping me from my blogging duties? Does this mean I’ve failed the challenge? Don’t judge me.
Day #13: Favorite Childhood Book
I’ve already talked about my love of Nancy Drew, Alice in Wonderland and Dr. Seuss. Instead of picking my own favorite childhood book (impossible!) I’m going to tell you about the books that I loved reading with my own children.
Oh Little House books, what a joy you were to read to my kids! I loved them when I was young and I loved them even more when I was able to share them with my own children.
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is such a sweet book. It made the first few days of Kindergarten a bit easier. (Mostly for me)
Day #14: Book that should be on HS/College Required Reading List
It would be easy to choose the obvious here. Such as The Diary of Anne Frank, Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird. But I’m picking A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I happen to think that everyone in the world should read this classic. 
Day #15: Favorite Book Dealing with Foreign Culture
I believe that The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck was the book that started my long love affair with Asian history and culture. It’s been many years since I read this and it started a life long journey of learning for me that has been wonderful. 
“If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday.” ~ Pearl S. Buck 
Yes Ms. Buck, yes indeed.

It’s Monday! What are you reading? 11/05/12

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, check it out and join in the fun! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Happy Monday everyone! It’s been a busy week here on my blog, mostly because I’m still churning out daily posts for the 30 Day Book Challenge. I’m having a good time answering the questions. You can check out my answers from this week here:

Day #6: A Book That Makes You Cry
Day #7: A Book That’s Hard to Read
Day #8: A Unpopular Book I Believe Should be a Best-seller
Day #9: A Book I’ve Read More Than Once
Day #10: The First Novel I Remember Reading
Day #11: The Book That Made me Fall in Love with Reading
Day #12: A book so emotionally draining you couldn’t complete it or had to set aside for a bit

I linked up to a new Friday meme called Let’s Talk hosted by Smash Attack Reads and A Book Obsession. (You should totally join in!) My post can be found here.

On to the books!

Read and Reviewed:

Charlotte & Emily: A Novel of the Brontës by Jude Morgan (I looooved this)

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett (short and sweet)

Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick and The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang (very quick thoughts on both of these important works)

I also read (but haven’t reviewed):

The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg
The Ruins of Lace by Iris Anthony
and
The Lincoln Conspiracy by Timothy L. O’Brien (I’ll be taking part in a tour of this book in mid-November, watch for that!)

Currently Reading:

I just cracked open The Art Forger this morning. I’ve been looking forward to this one!

Upcoming Reads:

Remember how I said I was going to ban myself from requesting books from the library until I got my stacks under control? I succeeded, no requests! It’s been painful, I won’t lie. Here are a few of the books that I have at home that I’m hoping to read this week:

So, no library books but I can’t complain at all. I have a good feeling about all of my upcoming reads! 
Have a fantastic week everyone! Please consider following my blog, liking The Relentless Reader on Facebook and/or following me on Twitter
What books do YOU plan on reading this week?