Marley and Me

This was a great story about a family and their crazy dog. We follow the dog and the family as they grow up. Very well written: made me laugh and cry. I'd recommend it. 3 stars.

Freakonomics

This book was recommended to my by a few people -- I think Mom was one of them. It was pretty good. Basically an economics guys' theories on why people do certain things. Some of the ideas were interesting and I found it entertaining. I have to admit, I'm a little skeptical of some of his theories, however. He seems to say other ideas are unbelievable, and the propose his own idea as the truth. I guess I wasn't easily convinced. But it was still a good book. 2 stars.

These is my Words (Nancy E. Turner) ***

555 pages. It's a story about a woman living in the Western frontier during the late 1800s. Written as journal entries, it goes through 20 years of her life and all her adventures, excitement, romance, sorrows and heartache. My ward book group read it a couple months ago and I'm just catching up. I had a hard time putting it down. It was well written and totally pulled me into the story of this woman. The only negative is it ended kind of sad, but at the same time made me want to be a better mother, wife, and woman.

Games Babies Play: From Birth to Twelve Months (Vicki Lansky)

Dan and I got this book from the baby shower. It might be out of print (the book we have is used), but we have enjoyed reading it and using the games and songs it suggests with Mark, who seems to respond to the games and enjoy them.

Zen Shorts, by Jon J. Muth

This is a children's illustrated book. It's about 3 children who make friends with a panda bear. The panda bear teaches them each a lesson by telling them a short story (a "zen short"). The illustrations are beautiful (even more so because they have been painted in watercolor and ink), and the story is excellent. I'd go as far as to buy it in hard back. Afterall, it does have a panda bear in it....