The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larrson

January's book was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larrson. Our meeting was at the Books A Million out at East Chase. I must confess... I didn't finish the book, not yet anyway. I just ran out of time. I waited too late into the month to start reading. I know better, being that I'm a slow reader and all, but that first chapter was just TORTURE. It's so hard to get into a book that doesn't grab me in the first sentence. I pushed through knowing it was a "mesmerizing, thrilling" read and so far I've been glad that I did.
Unlike last month's book (Fannie Flagg's newest, I don't even remember the name), I'm determined to finish reading this one. I know how this one ends so that takes some of the excitement out of it, but I'm looking forward to the details of how it all takes place. I don't think it's fair to not finish reading a book and then expect the ladies at our meetings to not discuss the end. What kind of discussion would it be if we can't even discuss the ending?!?
For next month we decided to read a "lighter" more inspirational read. We kind of agreed on the first book in a little series by Francine Rivers, the Mark of the Lion series called A Voice in the Wind. I'm looking forward to it. Hope to write more about it during the month.

Ethan...

It's been a while since I took the time to write on here so I've got a good bit of catching up to do.

Ethan turned 8 in November. He'd never been to an Auburn game before and the Homecoming game just so happened to be the same weekend as his birthday so we got the hook up with Scholarship section seating (thank you, Andy) and we took him to the game. It was very, very cold and felt like we were sitting in a wind tunnel, but we had fun anyway. Free food and Auburn football... What more could anyone want? :-)

Ethan had been practically begging me for a guitar so I did what any mother would do. I got him one, a real one. I wanted something that was good enough he could take lessons and really learn how to play if he stuck with it long enough and hopefully IF he learns how to play he'll keep this guitar forever. It's a 1/2 size guitar (also known as a travel guitar used by professionals). I got a great deal from Matt Strickland over at Tweed Music Company .

Matt also gave me the name and number of someone that could give Ethan lessons. He started guitar lessons the first week in December with Brian Roughton at Music Academy . Ethan enjoys his lessons and he's learned a lot. Brian teaches the kids how to read music, not just how to play certain songs. I'm anxious to see how long Ethan pursues guitar. I guess he'll have to learn a lot if he continues planning his band with Ashlyn, my neice.

Women's Book Club

I started a women's book club back in November and I haven't really had a chance to write about it yet. Any female that enjoys reading is invited to join us. Our November meeting was held at Starbucks out at East Chase and our book of the month was Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. In December we read I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg. I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed Redeeming Love. Matter of fact, I'm anxious to read it again as soon as I have time. Fannie Flagg left a lot to be desired and I've yet to make myself finish reading it. In December we met at the home of Patty Weatherford and we all brought a little dish/finger food. We decided that in the future only the people that make it to the meetings will be able to vote on the book for the next month.

For the month of January we're supposed to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larrson. We're meeting at Books-A-Million out at East Chase on January 27th at 6:00. Please come join us. We'd love to have you.

Word of the Day - January 4, 2011

Today's word of the day is...

Exculpate - to clear from alleged fault or guilt.

(I plan to learn a new word or refresh my knowledge of old words every day this year... Let's see how long this lasts.)