Given the cool weather of April, I think I have an exciting scientific discovery to share. If it's unseasonably warm in January, it will be unseasonably cold in April. I think there are a set number of hot and cold days in the year and they just get distributed in different ways each year. Seriously. It's the same theory I have about gaining and losing weight. I think there are a set number of pounds in this world and when someone gains or loses, someone else does the opposite. Full disclosure here: I never got an A in science and I always got A's in English, but I do think this is definitely a real possibility. Maybe I should write a book about this.

Mother’s Day is May 13th. In honor of this special day, FaithfulReader.com has compiled a list of books that celebrates the joys and pays tribute to the struggles of motherhood, with everything from faith-nurturing devotionals, unique prayer suggestions and reflections on strong women from history and Scripture, to fun and inspirational fiction.

Greetings from the Outer Banks where the weather has been great! I have gotten a ton of reading done poolside this week, which has been heavenly. The house we are renting is on a golf course, and I have been spying the balls for the golfers who are not hitting it straight. I tell people that for $1 I will point them to where their ball has landed. This offer is getting some good laughs. For a complete travelogue of our trip thus far, you can read my blog here. It includes updates on my reading, as well as assorted other tales from the trip, including the $1 DVD rentals that have the boys and me jazzed.

I am writing this week from the Outer Banks where I am on vacation with my family. The weather has been spectacular, which is lovely after a gray and drab New York winter. I have been getting a lot of reading done poolside, which is a treat. I usually end up "reading ahead" with books that are coming out in the next few months. One that you are going to be excited about is A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini who many of you know as the author of THE KITE RUNNER. It's just brilliant, and readers will not be disappointed in this sophomore effort. Again the setting is Afghanistan. It's a deeply moving story of two women that takes place over thirty years. It will be in stores on May 22nd. There's also a debut author who I want to have on your radar --- Anita Amirrezvani, whose book, THE BLOOD OF FLOWERS, is set in 17th century Persia. The protagonist is a young woman who is a carpet designer and weaver. I am not a fan of historical fiction, but this story definitely wove its way into my heart. It's on sale June 5th.