What I read in 2009

I read over 90 books in 2009 if you count several that included more than one book inside one cover. They totaled over 33,793 pages. I started keeping track of my books on GoodReads this summer. I found this project to be very interesting.

How do you decide what to read?

I have always been a "book-a-holic". I used to get books every month from the Mystery Book club but I have stopped buying them recently. I have a book shelf in my bedroom with many of those books on it that haven't been read yet. [see my Goodreads ID photo:] I walk down the book shelf when ever I go to Sam's or Safeway to see if there are any new books I can afford and want. There are several authors and series that I just buy the next book in line (although I hope I can find it at a discount). I love browsing at a library book sale. I worked one year for a school book fair company and I got a lot of YA books with my employee discount that year. I borrow books from my quilt club library. I trade and borrow books from my friends. (We had an informal book club called "The Bingo Ladies and Jay" when a club I belonged to was doing bingo every week.) I now work at an airport and all of the gate agents, ramp agents and airline crews usually have books to read on breaks or during slow times during the schedule. They leave books in the break room and sometime passengers even give us books. I subscribe to Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock short story mystery magazines and always have one in my bag for those minutes I may have to wait in a line. When my Mom died, I brought home most of her library including a set, "The World's Popular Classics". My husband is also an avid reader, but often he reads non-fiction that I am not interested in. Once in a while we do read the same books. My younger daughter got me onto Goodreads and we often share books [although this year she is in the Peace Corps in Albania so that is harder right now - I have sent her some books:] And now I am also sharing books with my almost 12-year old granddaughter. I like my Goodreads list because it is helping me keep track of what I am reading, what I have on my shelves and what I would like to read.
So with all that, I just pick a book that I have that tickles my fancy at the time and read it. Sometimes I will go for all the unread books by a particular author and get on a kick. I recently joined the Goodreads group "Pick a Shelf" and that is helping me focus on a theme each month. Basically, I don't usually know what I am going to be reading next and that's half the fun. My friends and family will tell you that I am always reading.

THE NATIONAL PARKS: My Parks

The first National Park I visited was Acadia during the summer when I was only an infant. I don't remember anything about this visit but it started a tradition within my family of visiting National Parks on our yearly summer vacation. Some years we visited more and some less but we have visited many of them. I am going to dig through those old photos and my Mom's personal history to list them here.

Conversation on Facebook

This is a recent conversation from Facebook. Friend J and Friend C lived in the neighborhood, friends of my daughter Becca and were also Girl Scouts in her troop when they were in middle school and I was the leader . They are all adults now.

Friend J
Growing up I heard stories about when & where people were when they heard that JFK was killed. Now I can understand somewhat how they felt. A man who fought for the rights of others is gone. The Kennedys have given themselves to us for many years & lucky for us, they will carry on that work. The lion of the senate, Ted Kennedy gave us 47 years of service, and for that we are forever grateful. RIP Ted Kennedy.
August 29 at 7:22pm

Friend CS
Isn't it interesting how as adults we start to understand the significance of what our parents and grandparents taught us?
August 29 at 7:32pm

Friend J
I know! Its so sad that we brush off all of these gems they give us until were adults.
August 29 at 8:06pm

Arlene Lipman
we tried!!
August 30 at 7:04am

Friend J
Arlene, looking back to the time I spent in your home, I feel sad that I didn't take advantage of what you had to offer. I wish I had asked for your stories about the peace corps, and asked you to tell me more about your life. Becaue now I realize how awesome that stuff is! Now I am an adult with my own hopes and dreams for this world, and I admire and appreciate the things you've done, and Becca is doing. So awesome!
August 30 at 7:21am

Arlene Lipman
Thank you so much for your comment. In your defense, you really didn't have a lot of contact with me when you were a kid. Most kids don't think about the experiences of their adult relatives, friends, neighbors, teachers, Scout leaders, etc. I know I didn't when I was a kid. We get tired of our parent's stories because we have heard them so many times. Now - all these years later, we wish we could sit at the knees of our grandparents and ask them! I am trying to write down some of the gems so that one day my granddaughters will be able to know a little bit about their ancestors!
August 30 at 7:42am · Delete

Friend J
That will be the best gift you ever give them!
August 30 at 7:45am

Friend J' mom
despite all prior indications i must have done something right! im so proud of who my children are today
August 30 at 6:36pm

Arlene Lipman
isn't it nice!!
September 1

Impossible

Impossible by Nancy Werlin


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received this book in a GoodReads giveaway. Thank you very much!
I was lucky to have this book in my bag on a day when I could read a lot. I love the song that the book is based on. The author has taken this folk song and built a credible back story for it. A young girl's life takes a dramatic turn when she learns the reason behind the song that her insane mother sings. I will never hear the song "Scarborough Fair" again without thinking of Lucinda and her "true love".

View all my reviews >>

Cookies - Bite-Size Life Lessons

My friend Kathy gave me this cute, cute book to share with my grandgirls.
I love you Kathy. This is the best book. She also made cookies last night, YUM!

Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the most delightful book. The illustrations are too cute and the thoughts are wonderful.

View all my reviews >>

Clean Water

Check out my recent blog about water: