After school yesterday Caroline and I went to the library. And before you think I’m a wonderful mother for taking my child to the public library, I need to confess that when we pulled up in the car she said, “Oh yeah. I remember this place.”
And while we were looking at all the books and trying to make some selections, I remembered that I’d said I was going to announce my choice for our first (and maybe last) book club just like Oprah.
Everyone in the audience is getting a 2011 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE!!!!
Except I’m not Oprah. So no one here is getting a 2011 Volkswagen Beetle unless you buy one for yourself.
However, the book club thing is legit.
After much debate and reading of summaries and reviews, I’ve decided on Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel by Jeannette Walls.
It first called to me where most of my true loves do. The shelves at Target. The title drew me in and then I was almost completely sold when a partial review on the back cover billed it as “Laura Ingalls Wilder for adults”. And I do love me some Little House on the Prairie.
Here’s an excerpt from Publisher’s Weekly:
For the first 10 years of her life, Lily Casey Smith, the narrator of this true-life novel by her granddaughter, Walls, lived in a dirt dugout in west Texas. Walls, whose megaselling memoir, The Glass Castle, recalled her own upbringing, writes in what she recalls as Lily’s plainspoken voice, whose recital provides plenty of drama and suspense as she ricochets from one challenge to another. Having been educated in fits and starts because of her parents’ penury, Lily becomes a teacher at age 15 in a remote frontier town she reaches after a solo 28-day ride. Marriage to a bigamist almost saps her spirit, but later she weds a rancher with whom she shares two children and a strain of plucky resilience. (They sell bootleg liquor during Prohibition, hiding the bottles under a baby’s crib.) Lily is a spirited heroine, fiercely outspoken against hypocrisy and prejudice, a rodeo rider and fearless breaker of horses, and a ruthless poker player. Assailed by flash floods, tornados and droughts, Lily never gets far from hardscrabble drudgery in several states—New Mexico, Arizona, Illinois—but hers is one of those heartwarming stories about indomitable women that will always find an audience.
So there you have it. Here are the details if you’re not afraid to dive into a novel that features life in Texas before there was air-conditioning.
1. Go get a copy of the book or download it on your Kindle like all the cool kids are doing these days. Amazon has it on sale for $6.63 right now.
2. Read the book. I feel that this is probably self-explanatory but I have a need to over-explain everything.
3. On Thursday, February 17th, I’ll write a post with my thoughts on the book and some discussion questions. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to leave your thoughts, comments, insights, etc. in the comment section.
4. We can respond to each other there in a polite, civilized way that doesn’t include comments like “YOU’RE AN IDIOT IF YOU ENJOYED THIS BOOK”.
5. If all goes well and we have a good time, I’ll take suggestions and pick another book on Thursday, February 17th and we can start all over again.
6. If it doesn’t go well then I will retire to my home in California, enjoy my rose garden, and start my own television network.
7. Or I will just continue to blog about things that don’t involve discussing books.
Y’all have a great day.
Awesome choice!!!! Loved it….
Just downloaded it to my kindle…Cant wait to start on it!
Hooray! I’m so excited. Jenneatte Wells is such a great author. I read her first book my last semester of college when I was finishing up my BA in English. I was writing my senior project on crazy mothers (as my biological mother is a bit of a crazy herself), and The Glass Castle was something my professor assigned me to read (and now my [non-biological, but really the only one I recognize] mom is reading it for her book club).
Also, many of my dollars have been given to the pockets of Target as those books on their shelves seem to beckon me like nothing else does.
I’m in! I just ordered in from Amazon.com (we’re on day 4 of being snowed in, so I’m not going to Target anytime soon!).
Cannot wait to get it and read it. I have a goal of 50 books this year. Which is probably not going to happen seeing as we’re due with Baby # 3 in July. But, we’ll see!
I’m in. I’ve never been in a book club before. So fun! I’ll see if I can get my best friend at http://www.happyhelms.com to join in. She LOVES Little House on the Prairie.
Woohoo! I’m in! I was wondering about the plan just this very afternoon. Way to make a decision & get the proverbial ball rolling
Love it. I am in. I will see if I can find the book at our library. If not, I will just order the thing. Anyhow, look forward to participating in the book club!
Sounds good. My ‘real life’ book club read Glass Castles and wow. I’ve been wanted to read this one to see the background.
tilsockbesnug@blogspot.com
You know that when “Black Heels to Tractor Wheels” comes out, it’ll have to be on the list!
I’m in! Bought the book with some Christmas gift cards
I’m so on board with this! Just put the book on hold at the library and I’ll get it next week. This should be fun!
Nicole
oh cool! i am always looking for a chance to buy something for my kindle!!!!
Great book choice!!! Looks so exciting!!! How will we be able to wait a MONTH before commenting??!!!??? It will KILL me!!!! Can’t wait to get started!!!!
Who can possibly resist a book with a summary that includes words like “penury” and “strain of plucky resilience?”
Count me in. I just checked the library and they have 3 copies. Woohoo! I love a good, free book!
That’s a great book, but please, do not neglect to read The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, one of the best books I’ve ever read – it is truly amazing.
Have fun reading Half-Broke Horses!!
Sounds great, I’m going to do it!
Great choice! A friend gave me this book for Christmas because I liked ‘The Glass Castle’ so much. I think it’s a good short book to start off with. Enjoy.
Just ordered my copy. Great choice!
Sounds like an awesome book!! I’m in!
Good pick!
I love starting my day with you and your family. Caroline is such a hoot!
OK, I’m in! Copy ordered (why oh why didn’t Santa bring me a Kindle?) – can’t wait to start!
Sounds like a great book! Looking forward to it!
Just for posterity, it was a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. I totally know because I was in the audience that wonderful day. FOR REAL!! …my awesome Coach Sophia purse is sitting on the counter in front of me!
Loved that book, can’t wait to discuss it!
No. Way!!! That is amazing! I figured it would be pretty difficult to get tickets for this last season–because of all of the great giveaways. Did you have an inside connection to get the ticket?
And even more importantly–HOW is the VW??? So cool! I love love love fun surprises!!!
Thanks for sharing the excitement! You can’t get “tickets” to the show but you CAN keep an eye out on the website where they frequently announce upcoming show topics. If one interests you or applies to you, simply follow the link, submit the information and see what happens! We had NO idea we were going to be on the Favorite Things show. I had been surfing the website randomly, saw a blurb asking readers to submit nominations for “community heroes” and wrote up a small blurb about a friend of mine who is an amazing teacher. Totally forgot I did it, got an email from Harpo studios three weeks later inviting us to be in the “audience only” for a show about “Heroes.” We almost didn’t go because we are both busy working moms but thought “what the heck….GIRL TRIP to Chicago!.” The rest is history, the ornament rolled out, snowfall came down and POOF “IT’S FAVORITE THINGS!!”
We don’t get the VW until September of this year…very excited!
I just finished this book and it is very good. I think a lot of people will enjoy it. Wells is a great writer and storyteller. You should read her memoir “The Glass Castle” too if you haven’t yet.
Never heard of the book, but sounds good! Count me in!
Okay, I’m IN. If I don’t forget to go get the book. Seriously. Not that it’s not on my important list. It’s just that it’s not on the list and I know I don’t even have .5 seconds right now to go write it because I’m spending that time writing this comment and the four-year-old is STILL SLEEPING which means DRAMA FILLED MORNING coming up.
I read The Glass Castle. LOVED it. I felt melancholy after reading it. But I still loved it. So, making mental note to get new book. Don’t fail me, memory.
GREAT choice! I just finished reading this book (I got it for Christmas), and I loved it. I will definitely join in on the discussion!
All I can say is “WooHoo”! I read The Glass Castle in a weekend this summer! Quite possible my favorite book! Great choice! I can’t wait to read it!
Good choice in books. I have read both books by Jeanette Walls in the past year and highly recommend them. I love Memoirs.
I enjoyed The Glass Castle so why not give this one a try. Thanks for picking.
Btw, the VW Beetle is no longer made… 2010 was the last model year so you’re safe.
Well, today I am just as excited about the book as I am a VW Beetle. The plot sounds pretty cool. Thanks for organizing this!!
Now, to find the book…and the time to read it….
I am excited to read this as loved her other book. Thank you for trying this. My book club dissolved a few years ago and I miss it a lot.
I went to Amazon and bought the book. And three others because I CAN’T STOP THE BUYING OF THE BOOKS since I got the Kindle.
It’s like a curse and a blessing.
Sorry I shouted at you.
I know exactly what you mean! I have read two books and working on my third since I got a Kindle for Christmas. I haven’t read this much in ages!! I’m loving it!!!
Thanks for the sneak peek. Just got an e-mail that it’s waiting for me at the library.
Sounds great! My goal last year was 10 books and I gently squeezed in #10 in the last day of the year so I’m upping the ante to 11
I read that when it came out and it is a winner. I will have to look it over again before the discussion. Yes, I bought it because I absolutely loved Jeannette Walls first book!
Excited! Just purchased it on Amazon!
Just bought the Nookbook – Got the Nookcolor for Christmas and it SHOULD be one of Oprah’s favorite things because it rocks!!! But, I agree, e-readers are a blessing and a curse as I’m a voracious reader and have been buying books left and right and reading in bed until almost midnight every night – yikes!
Amazon loves you! I’m in for the book club. My goal is to read 30 books this year, and run another 5K this month, and loose a few pounds…… not that any of that matters to anyone! Thanks for doing this and it will be so fun to discuss the book on your blog.
Excellent…. especially since this means I get to make another trip to Target.
Is it wrong that I’ve starting referring to this as “The Big Mama Book Club” in my head?
Sounds good – I’m in. Will get it this weekend. I feel certain this is the beginning of something great…..and you will not have to retire to your home in Cali.
Woooooohooooo! I never win anything! Oh. Looks like the record remains unbroken. Oh, well. Wouldn’t you love to talk to Susan & find out more about her experience at the Oprah show? How cool is that?
This sounds like an interesting book. I was so into Little House when I was younger, I wanted to change my name to Laura and wear bonnets every day. Our town library, which is too small for the size of our town & hardly ever has what I’m looking for, has 28 copies of this book! How is that possible? I don’t care, my name is on the list for the next available copy. Looking forward to a good book. Thanks!
you had me at Little House
Great choice, Melanie! I’m not much of a reader (reading blogs, yes! books, not so much!) but I did read this book last year and really enjoyed it. On my drive home from San Antonio to St. Louis this Christmas, I read Jeannette Walls other book “Glass Castles” on the Kindle. (Don’t worry, I wasn’t driving and reading!)
You will want to read this one too. It is a book that you will never forget. Can’t wait til “Club”!
I loved her first book and heard this on is just as good. Yeah, can’t wait to wait for it from the library, they have one copy for the whole city of Austin.
I am IN!! You had me at Little House on the Prairie. But, you also had me a Jeanette Walls, rancher, horses, and rodeo rider.
Okay, okay, to be perfectly honest–you also had me at bigamist and bootleg liquor. But, what does that say about me???
Great pick! Looking forward to the discussion!
Great book. Great choice. I really enjoyed this book. It’s not nearly as depressing as Glass Castle. Can’t wait for everyone to read it!!
What a great idea! Sounds like a good book, too. I can’t wait to start reading it.
Great choice – read it when it came out because I (along with many other commenters) loved The Glass Castle. Can’t wait to discuss!
Jeannette Walls is a great author. Her other book, Glass Castle is really good too. Enjoy your reading!
That is a pretty good book. I’ve already read it, or I’d join you. “The Glass Castle,” which tells the story of Jeannette Walls’ life, however, is absolutely fascinating. You should definitely read it next, whether it’s an official part of your book club or not.
My sister loved this author’s first book so I’m looking forward to this book club selection.
I have to tell you, I did a double take on the first comment — she wrote something like … I’m doing a paper on crazy mothers…. my mother was crazy– I was shocked to see my one of my girls on your blog! But whew! She’s not mine, but I’d claim her!
Love the book choice!
I am randomly scrolling through these comments and this made me laugh out loud (since I’m the commenter with the crazy mom!). Hopefully you don’t hold a flame to my crazy mother!
I’m a new follower and I’m in.
The last book I read was The Girlfriends Guide to the First Year. I’m curious to see if I can actually read a real book without falling asleep. I just downloaded this to my hip Kindle so I can read while I pump. (TMI? No, not here. This is a “safe place.”) I’m still curious about that handshake….
So excited to be a part of this book club! I just bought a used copy on Amazon for $1.12. Have a great day!!
You should read The Glass Castle by her it is AMAZING.
I loved her first book and can’t wait to read this one!
I’m in. I just checked my library and they have it. yeah!
I’m in. My library has 3 copies—so heading there after work to hopefully pick one up!
Just ordered off Amazon.com. An appropriate choice, given your Texas heritage! Caroline didn’t fall far off the tree, either
I love Laura Ingalls Wilder. Looking forward to participating!
Sounds great! I am a HUGE “Laura Ingalls” fan – so if I can get myself together, I just might read along with you!
Great Choice….count me in!
This is a great book. I read it last year when it came out and passed it along to almost everyone I know. I wrote a brief review on my blog (http://the-chronicles-of-nat.blogspot.com/2010/02/half-broke-horses-book-review.html) and am excited to hear what others have to say about it. A really awesome first choice!
My mom lent me her copy ages and ages ago so this will be incentive to finally read it! I’ve heard great things about it!
I love Jeanette Walls & can’t wait to read &discuss the book!
I have already downloaded it to my awesome Kindle!! Can’t wait to read the book and get in on the discussion with everyone!
I love looking at the book offerings at Target. I think Kindles are cool, but there is still something about having the weight of a book in your and turning the pages.
I may have to give this one a try.
Have your read the “The Glass Castle” by Jeanette Walls? It is awesome. You need to read it. I will probably bet that this is awesome too. Can’t wait to read it and join in on the book club.
I just put it on hold at the library!
Count me in! Sounds fun. FYI, everyone with a daughter who I forwarded yesterday’s “Punky Brewster” post just howls because let me say, you struck a cord with mother’s everywhere.
Thanks for the bloggy book club. I needed a reason to go to the library…or buy a Kindle. And I would so watch you over O any day!
From all of us librarians everywhere – thanks for going to the library! Looking forward to reading this book!
I read your blog religiously! My favorite days are Fridays for your Fashion Friday!!!! And that is the day I get my People Magazine in the mail! Anyway, love this book…love Jeanette Wall and one of my favorite books of all time is The Glass Castle. Please read it if you have not. I will definately plan to participate with you guys on your next book.
Happy Reading.
This is a terrific book! I remember reading it and then sending it to my mom…I’ll have to see if she still has it so I can read it again.
I just bought it and downloaded it my phone’s Kindle app! It sounds so good…I’m looking forward to it!
Just requested the audio book from the library and it is available, so I will be “listening” to the book. The hard copy version is not available, so this will be an acceptable alternative. I drive a lot every week, so I should be able to make it through pretty quickly.
Tammy
I’m in! Just requested it from my library!
This sounds like fun! My daughter and i will both be reading it, getting our copy at the library tonight.
I too love Laura Ingalls so I can’t wait to read this book!
so excited to read this, and so glad you are doing a book club in such a low key manner that it doesn’t stress those of us who get stressed out easily!
Love The Glass Castle, can’t wait to read this one. Happy weekend, and stop showing such cute stuff on Fashion friday! KIdding!
Great choice, I received this book for Christmas. Now if I can remember where I put it . . .
I’m in! Picking up a copy from the library tomorrow! LOVE the idea of a low key book club!
I read The Glass Castle, very good book. Don’t feel bad about not going to the library, I haven’t been there since June (maybe longer) because I have late fees and I never carry cash. My 5 year old asks if he can go there almost every week. I might have to take money out of his piggy bank just so we can go back!
Read the book several months ago and IT IS WONDERFUL! Loved it so much I read her first book, Glass Castles, afterwards. I’m actually glad I read the first book after the second book – made the first book (Glass Castles) flow that much better. Anway – great choice, you are going to love it. Be sure and read her other book when you get done.
I’m in. Just bought it from amazon (and 4 other books just to get Super Saver Shipping). Looking forward to it.
Just put it on hold at the library! Then I checked the availability and it turns out that there’s one already available at our library so maybe I’ll pack up the littles and trek out there to pick it up. Either way, I’m in!
Hey! Did you know Real Simple Online book club has this book as one of their contenders for February?? Great minds must think alike!!
Just downloaded the book to my Kindle. I can’t wait to start, but I have to go to work first – boo! Are you going to add a ‘button’ on your site that goes directly to book club bidness? I say that like I know ANYTHING about blogs, buttons or techie stuff. Either way, I’m in!
Susan
Just bought the book! The idea of it being like Laura Ingalls excited me.