I realize I just stated that I was going to work my way through books I actually own instead of buying new ones, but I am still in Nebraska and thus without my own books. Also, my mother insisted on a trip to Barnes&Noble and she makes sure I always use her membership card, so here I am five books wealthier and two books into my summer reading. Side note: I realize, of course, that I will breeze through my twenty-five book goal if I continue to purchase and choose young adult literature instead of "serious" literature. More about this later.

First up, Neil Gaiman. I wrote about him in my last post and purchased two of his books: Coraline and M is for Magic. I have read the first. Coraline is a book I was first introduced to during my time at Nebraska Book Company. There I would stand in front of my station as watch as books came tumbling toward me, waiting to be stacked in the giant metal "buckets." It was a tedious job, but every summer I walked away with a book list a
mile long and an employee discount. Coraline was a book I picked up knowing nothing about the author or the book and found myself enthralled in only the first chapter. A little girl with a big heart, a big imagination and a thirst for adventure finds herself in the scariest and most interesting situation of her life. The book may have been written for children and not twenty-four (almost twenty-five) year olds, but I love this book and I love this character. Coraline walks into a truly unbelievable situation, but never once does she truly question what is going on or what she has to do. She is practical until the end and she does what needs to be done in order to save herself and others around her. She charmed the pants off me. I can't wait to read this book to my own children.
Then I read some candy, Christian candy at that. Perfecting Kate is written by Tamara Leigh who wrote Splitting Harriet which I read during the winter. I thoroughly enjoyed Splitting Harriet. It's not often I find a "Christian romance" book that lives up to my expectations of both being theologically sound and, you know, good literature. Splitting Harriet is both charming and thought provoking and follows the life a church-worker, which you don't come across very often. It's not profound, nor is it deeply moving, but it is fun and I like what it has to say about second chances and God's grace. This said, I was looking forward to reading Perfecting Kate. The premise was interesting, focussing on the insecurities that most (all) women (people) have about their appearance and using this as a starting point for

the makeover we all need from the inside out. I'm not sure how I feel about the book itself, though. I found myself waiting for the main character to really see what was going on. What was really irritating was that she knew that her boyfriend wasn't a "practicing" Christian, but she justified it away. She knew that it wasn't right how he consistently told her what was wrong with her appearance to the point of deluging her with the business cards of professionals who can take care of all her cosmetic needs. She knew she wasn't being a good steward of her money, of her gifts, of her health. She knew all this yet she continued on. I realize that I share many similar qualities with the Kate. I often do things I know are wrong the moment I do them. I sin now knowing I can ask forgiveness later. Maybe that's why I found Kate so annoying. Maybe she reminds me of me. But I do find her annoying and I probably won't be rereading this book anytime soon. That does not mean I'm unhappy about adding it to my, ahem, private collection.
There we go, the first two (completed) books of the summer which brings my count to: 2/25. I shall keep you up to date as the summer tarries onward...
I'm not sure I used "tarries" correctly just now.