What's on your nightstand?

Right now, I’m reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen as part of the Classics Bookclub hosted by 5 Minutes for Books. This is the second time I’ve read it. Although, I have to admit, the first time around was for a school assignment and I plowed through it so quickly that I didn’t get a chance to enjoy it. This time around, I’m taking it slow and enjoying it.

Last week, I finished up Scream for Me by Karen Rose. I’d never read anything by her before, so I was skeptical at first. It seemed to start out slow, but after I got into it, it was a pretty good read. Good plot, well-written characters, and a few surprise turns kept me interested. I didn’t know it at the time, but it’s apparently a sequel to Die for Me by the same author. I’ve researched it a little and a third book, Kill for Me, is due out in February 2009. Now, ‘;m going to have to go back and read the first one. I wish I’d known it was a series!

After being on the wait list for several weeks, I finally got to read Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich. The Stephanie Plum series is one of my favorites. I read the first one last October and was hooked from the very first chapter. Since then, I’ve read every book in the series. Love it and recommend it to anyone who likes a good, humorous suspense story with a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure. These books are light and easy to read, yet hard to put down.

I’m reading Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare to my son. It’s a good classic. I’m sure most of you have read it before. I’m enjoying it as much as he is.

I checked out The Future Homemakers of America by Laurie Graham, but haven’t cracked it open yet. It’s about a group Air Force wives who are thrown together out of circumstance and form lifelong friendships as they see each other through life’s ups and downs. Fom the reviews I’ve read about it, it’s a very entertaining story although some of it can be predictable. So we’ll see.

I’m looking for book recommendations for my 10 year old twins. They’ve tried Nancy Drew, The Bobbsey Twins, Sweet Valley, Babysitter’s Club, The Boxcar Children, and Hank the Cowdog but they’re into more modern books. I’d rather not have them reading Hannah Montana and High School Musical books all the time so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

I also want to recommend any Andrew Clements book for your middle school-aged kids. My girls have read all of his books and loved every single one. They’re fun and deal with real-life issues that kids this age are dealing with. A couple to check out are Frindle and No Talking.

Head on over 5 Minutes for Books and tell us, What’s on your Nightstand?