Life’s too short.  We all know it.  We say it.  But do we mean it?  I mean really, I say it all the time but my actions speak otherwise most of the time.  I get caught up in daily life and lose track just like everyone else.

Randy Pausch wasn’t so lucky.  Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he had only months to live and with the help of Jeffrey Zaslow, he put together some of his thoughts on life, big dreams, and seizing the day.

The Last Lecture came about because he was asked to present a lecture at Carnegie Mellon University as part of an ongoing lecture series.  The lecture became so popular on the web that a book was born. 

You can find links to the video here.

I just finished reading The Shack.  And I’m not sure what to think.  Honestly, I think I need to reread it.

The Shack is really a book about God and spirituality but it is woven in through what starts off as a sad storyline.  The main character, Mack, is grieving for his daughter who was murdered four years earlier.  He has seemingly shut down and the rest of his family isn’t doing much better. 

Without giving too much away, he is invited to a shack for the weekend by God.  I know what you are thinking…what?  Admittedly, the premise is crazy.  But as a friend pointed out, the ending gives the reader an out if it is just too much to handle.

The book proposes different ideas on things like forgiveness, what it means to be “Christian”, and even how God appears to Mack. 

Zero.  Zilch.  Nada.

That pretty much sums up my summer reading so far.  I have a stack of books crying out to be read next to my bed but I’ve been a bad girl.  I’ve ignored them and I can’t take it.  I’ve taken to throwing my running clothes over them so I don’t have to look at them and feel even guiltier.

I haven’t read a book since May.  Eek!  I finished The Other Boleyn Girl (which by the way is MUCH better than the lame movie that came out several months ago).  What should have been a terrific start to my summer reading came to a screeching halt soon after.

Sure I’ve got excuses; extra job responsibilities, swim lessons, softball for me and t-ball for the kiddies, marathon training, Reality TV, and I’ve been watching my Fresno State Bulldogs in the College World Series.  All worthy excuses I suppose but not enough to lessen my guilt.

So here I am, pledging today, June 25, 2008, to pick up a book this week and get past this lull in my reading.

Lately, my family has been taking a walk down memory lane each night.  We’ve been reading Judy Blume’s classic Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing. 

I loved Judy Blume when I was a kid.  Her characters stick in my head much like Beverly Cleary’s do.

Thankfully my girls love Peter, Fudge and even Sheila.  Otherwise, I’d probably be a little bit heartbroken.

Judy Blume is one of those children’s authors that strike a chord with kids.  Why?  Probably because kids get her characters.  I got them.  My sisters were to me as Fudge is to Peter.  A huge pain.  And in case they are reading this post, they are now the best sisters EVER.

I debated when the right time was to read it to them.  You probably could make the case that five and four is probably a bit young but nevertheless I plunged in.  And to my pleasure, they’ve had several laugh-out-loud moments.

Over the years, The Bee's book club has hosted authors who’ve been lucky enough to have their books turned into movies; Ann Packer and Karen Joy Fowler come quickly to mind.

The Bee is about to host another author that can make that claim.  Author Daniel Mason will be here to discuss his second book A Far Country on Thursday and it was recently announced that his much-heralded first book, The Piano Tuner, will be made into a movie.  Werner Herzog (“Rescue Dawn” and “Grizzly Man”) will direct.

If you get a chance, please stop by the book club gathering on Thursday night at 7.  It will be at the Salida Regional Library.  To reserve a spot call 578-2177.

Drought and poverty in a unnamed South American country has persuaded Isabel's family to send her to "the city" for a chance at a better life.  Isabel is 14 and looks forward to the chance to see her brother Isaias who took the same journey several months earlier.  Only Isabel arrives and Isaias is missing.

This is how the Bee Book Club's featured selection A Far Country begins. 

Author Daniel Mason will be at the Salida Regional Library, Thursday at 7 p.m., to discuss his book and his approach to writing.  This is a great chance to hear the perspective of one author.

There are still some seats available so make sure you reserve yours by calling 578-2177.

Even if you haven't had a chance to read his book, it's still worth coming.  It's always interesting to hear authors talk about their books. 

Copies of his book are available for purchase from the McHenry Museum gift store, Barnes & Noble, and Borders.  Make sure you ask for the book club discount on the hard cover editions!    (READ MORE)

Ever listen to Amy Grant?  I’ve have and I’ve been a fan for many years.  I've attended more of her concerts than I can count and have dragged my husband to more than he’d care to remember. 

So, when I saw she wrote Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far, I had to add it to my reading list.  Not because I thought she was going to be a prolific writer, but because I’m interested in her.

I liked the presentation a lot.  The chapters really are written as the title says, like pieces, and lyrics from her songs and strewn throughout the book.

If you are looking for gossipy stuff about her divorce from singer Gary Chapman, you won’t find that.  She only talks about her divorce in general terms.