You've Got Mail!

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know one of my favorite pastimes is reading.  It's a personal hobby, but I also spend large chunks of time reading with my kids, both for pleasure and for school.

I shared on my blog Facebook page in mid-August about a book exchange on another blog. It was nearing the deadline when I decided to participate. I had to compile a short wishlist and e-mail it to the hostess, Stephanie. She passed my list on to another participant, then sent me another reader's wishlist.  I got to choose a book from the list and mail it on its way(with or without some special little bonus goodies).

When I told Brian how much fun it sounded, he said, "So basically you are buying a book for yourself?"  I see his point, but I guess he didn't get the surprise element or the appeal of the social/friendship interaction.

Last Saturday I was inside alone cleaning and cooking in anticipation of dinner guests.  My toes were sore from a 9-mile run I had done that morning.  Brian was mowing the lawn and the kids were outside doing yard work and swinging on the tire swing. I decided to sneak a break with a cup of high-test hot chocolate when Maddie came running into the house with a package. 

My book exchange package had arrived at the most perfect of times!

My book exchange friend, Christy, does not know me and did not have any way to know what I like aside from the short list of books she was given, but I love that she included page markers in my very favorite of colors-- aqua and turquoise. 

A quick word on the books Christy chose from my wishlist:

Both books are outside of my normal reading comfort zone.  The Witch of Blackbird Pond is historical fiction and I tend to shy away from that genre.  However, two bloggers who have book opinions that I trust highly recommended this book, plus I've been reading more than my share of Newbery books this year so it was fitting that I read another.

Life After Life could be called fantasy and I read even less fantasy than I do historical fiction. Still, the story sounds highly plot and character driven.  I first heard about it on another long Saturday morning run earlier this summer.  I was listening to my favorite running podcast, but the theme for the day deviated from the sport and instead centered on summer reading. The hosts were discussing can't-put-down novels and mentioned this one.


Do you ever challenge yourself to read books that are outside of your norm? Have you read either of these two books?