Happy New Year!

First, let me thank you for all the notes of congratulations on our little blessing.  We are very grateful.

I had hoped to be back here regularly after saying farewell to the first trimester but, as in past pregnancies, I still feel rotten most of the time.  But that's boring and depressing to talk about so I'm going to just fake this and focus on whatever I can think of that makes me happy right now.

I feel well enough to read these days (there were several weeks when I couldn't even do that).  I'm in the middle of The Age of Innocence which isn't my favorite style of book, but it was free on the Kindle and I hate not finishing a book, so I am committed. Up next:

• Dracula (also not my thing, but we are seeing the ballet soon)
• The Botany of Desire (very much my thing)
• Into the Wild (Krakauer is so readable.  I don't want anything very challenging right now)
• The Wilder Life (I've read mixed reviews, but I thought I'd give it a try.  Any Laura bios you'd recommend?)
• The Forgotten Garden (read only rave reviews)
• I really should also finish The Hobbit, but I don't want to.

I've loved reading all the 2011 book lists 'round the blogosphere this weekend and hope to add more to my to-be-read list soon.

Comments

[Molly W.]

I just finished The Forgotten Garden - not too bad though Kate Morton loves writing about wildly successful or brilliant writers in her stories and gives "excerpts" of their works in the books which always seems a little heavy handed. But it's a good read, though it ends rather abruptly! I think I preferred "The Forgotten Hours" of the two.

[Sarah]

You should really move "The Forgotten Garden" to the top of your reading list, if you want to take your mind off that morning sickness! :) It's sooooo good.

Hoping and praying that you feel better soon. Happy New Year!

[sarah]

I hope you are getting plenty of what you need to feel comfortable. I want to read Dracula (again) - I so much like the *idea* of it, although the book itself is a little tedious I think.

I was rather put off Laura Ingalls Wilder after reading a bio of her daughter Rose. One of those cases in which learning too much about an author was a bad thing.

[Ellie]

The Forgotten Garden is wonderful! And I don't say that about very many books. **Well-written** (high praise from me). Re: Molly's comment: I didn't mind the fairy tales included in the book, I thought they were reasonable glimpses into Eliza's life and character. I felt that including them fit with how the story was told (from several women's perspectives).

So glad for you that the nausea has abated enough to read! Not feeling well enough to read is a thing I have been though -- not easy!

Happy New Year!

[Kelly]

I've added Into the Wild to my wish list. I have The Forgotten Garden waiting for me in my stack of books in my bedroom.

Right now I'm enjoying: Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter (on the Nook), Wuthering Heights for while I'm knitting (audio from audible.com), and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (hardback). Oh! and The Invention of Hugo Cabret (as a family read-aloud).

I have so many books on my to-read-list that I've needed to double up a bit. :)

I'm glad you're feeling well enough to read now. You're in my prayers.