See Holly Read

Decision Points

2012-01-25T02:59:00.001-08:00

BOOK REVIEW

3. Decision Points
George W. Bush

I feel like I'm probably one of the few people who still loves George Bush, but I just really do. He's no Ronald Reagan, but I always thought he was a good president and for the most part, I agreed with most of his actions. Plus, I have a lot of respect for him as a person, for his wife and his family, and for his values. After reading this, I like him even more. It's always fascinating to know the history behind someone... their background and upbringing.... and the things that led them to do what they did. It was nice to hear his side of the story and to understand the reasons why he made the decisions he did, both in his personal and political life. It gave me an interesting glimpse into the world of politics... a more personal side of what it's like to run for office and to live in the public eye... and to what goes on day to day in the business of running a country. He gives plenty of personal commentary of course, but I liked that he was just telling you what he did and why he did it... and you can take it or leave it. The title is perfectly appropriate. I learned a lot and I'm glad I invested the time to read this book.

Timeline

2012-01-25T02:58:00.001-08:00

BOOK REVIEW

2. Timeline
Michael Crichton

I read a Michael Crichton book last year and I enjoyed it, but I thought it was corny. I wasn't going to read anymore, but I'm a sucker for all things time travel and I needed a mindless, entertaining read so I picked this up. It was corny and a bit far-fetched, but I still liked it. It served it's purpose... I got to go back in time and be entertained... the story was fast-paced and everything tied up nicely... the end.

The 5 Love Languages

2012-01-10T20:56:00.001-08:00

BOOK REVIEW

1. The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts
Gary Chapman

I'd heard about this book a zillion times and I was familiar with Dr. Chapman's name and research from studying family therapy at BYU, but I'd never got around to reading it. It came up on my radar again a couple weeks ago and I'm glad I finally picked it up. I'm a fan of simple, straight-forward theories and techniques that couples can use to improve their relationships... the premise of this book is not earth-shattering, but it's easy to understand, easy to put into practice, and I believe has the potential to be very effective. Plus, I appreciate a therapist who is conservative, family-centered, Christian, and still married. Haha. :)

Dr. Chapman believes that there are 5 main ways in which humans express and receive love in a relationship. He calls these "love languages." Each person has a primary love language--- the way in which they most need to be loved to feel satisfied in their relationship. This book outlines the 5 languages, helps you identify your language and your partner's, and gives specific examples of how to practice each language in your own relationship.

For your info, the 5 languages he has identified are:
Words of Affirmation
Quality Time
Receiving Gifts
Acts of Service
Physical Touch

I was going to expound on each of these and tell you about my love language, but I don't have the energy right now so I'll just encourage you to go read the book on your own. I wasn't looking for any marital help when I read it... I was just curious as to what the book was all about, but I did find it helpful and insightful. It sparked some interesting conversations between Nate and I and I was surprised that I learned some things about him that I didn't know. In every relationship, it's good to have tools and knowledge that you can draw on to help you communicate more effectively and love each other better... and if you invest a couple hours in reading and discussing this book, you'll probably find it eye-opening and useful too. Whether you are struggling a bit or just want to be a better spouse, this book is worth your time.

A Christmas Carol

2011-12-27T21:40:00.000-08:00

BOOK REVIEW.

37. A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens

Everyone knows the story line... we all watch some version of the movie at Christmas every year (my personal favorite is the Muppet's version)... but I'd never read the actual book before.

This book is a classic for a reason. It deserves the hype. The message is so simple, but so timeless and universal and inspiring that the story endures from generation to generation.

Even though I knew what was going to happen, I loved reading the original language and it was a nice way to add to my Christmas spirit. It's a quick read, and a good reminder of the "reason for the season."

The chapter when Marley's ghost appears to Scrooge was particularly interesting to me. Marley explains that he is in chains and forced to travel the earth seeing the needs of others, but because he didn't try to help them in life, he is unable to help them in death. He finally wants to help, but he can't. That is his condemnation.

Marley says:
"At this time of the rolling year, I suffer most. Why did I walk through crowds of fellow beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode! Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me?"

Marley also says:
"Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness. Not to know that no space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused!"

Makes you want to go out and serve! :)

And one other quote I really liked:
"For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself."

What Alice Forgot

2011-11-29T12:38:00.003-08:00

BOOK REVIEW

36. What Alice Forgot
Liane Moriarty

This is the story of a girl who wakes up after hitting her head at the gym and can't remember the last 10 years of her life. She thinks she's still in her 20's, expecting her first baby, and madly in love with her husband. Little does she know that she is actually approaching her 40th birthday, she has 3 children, and she and her husband are separated.

It was interesting to watch her put the pieces of her life back into place. I especially liked it because I see a lot of myself in her--- in the 20-something version of her--- and I sometimes wonder if I'll ever morph into one of those "super moms" that she became as she got older. I can see myself having many of the same questions and reactions that Alice had if something like that ever happened to me. How did I get here? This is not where I thought I would end up.

It was a fun, interesting read... but at the same time, parts of the story bugged me. I didn't like the whole thing about her marriage falling apart--- it was just depressing--- and I didn't really like the thing about the best friend. I just felt like it was too over-dramatized. But that's just me being a tough critic. Most people I know who have read this pretty much loved it.

I thought the different voices of the sister and the grandma added a layer of interest and the sister's insights into IVF were very good.

I didn't love and adore it, but I liked it. Worth the read.

Iacocca: An Autobiography

2011-11-29T12:38:00.001-08:00

BOOK REVIEW

35. Lee Iacocca: An Autobiography
Lee Iacocca

My grandpa gave me this book a few years ago, but I'd never gotten around to reading it. I finally pulled it out and I really enjoyed it. It's a bit corny in parts--- as I'm sure it's weird to write a book about yourself and your accomplishments while still sounding humble--- but I love me a conservative good ole boy and it's always interesting to read about other people's lives. And since we all know I'm into cars, I loved reading about Ford in the 60's and 70's--- particularly the development of the Mustang--- and how the car industry is run in general. Fascinating, talented man with great stories...

A Crimson Warning

2011-11-29T12:37:00.001-08:00

BOOK REVIEW

34. A Crimson Warning
Tasha Alexander

This is book 6 in the "Lady Emily Ashton" series. The books connect together in that most of the characters are the same, but they don't necessarily have to be read together or even in order. They're all clean and entertaining and I've enjoyed each of them. I don't usually like the Victorian England era because I think the social customs of the time were annoying (gasp, reading Jane Austen or the Bronte's makes me want to pull my hair out)--- but I like these books because the main character is a little bit of a rebel, so I can handle it. Plus, I like reading about the clothes and the art and the food. :) Anyways, don't expect anything earth-shattering, but if you need a quick, clean, girlie read (or 6) try one of these books. They've all been worthwhile.

A Moveable Feast

2011-10-18T14:22:00.000-07:00

BOOK REVIEW

33. A Moveable Feast
Ernest Hemingway

I fell in love with Hemingway in 11th grade when I spontaneously checked out "A Farewell to Arms" from my high school library in an effort to acquaint myself with some of the "classics."

I remember being so swept up in that book... my boyfriend at the time even called me Catherine and I just thought it was the most romantic thing... Ah, sorry, CORNY! :)

After "A Farewell to Arms" I read "The Sun Also Rises," "For Whom the Bells Tolls," "The Nick Adams Stories," "Islands in the Stream," "The Old Man and the Sea," and several biographies and collections of letters on Hemingway. Can you tell I'm a fan?

But I had never read "A Moveable Feast." After reading "The Paris Wife" earlier this year (which I rather enjoyed), I really wanted to read "A Moveable Feast" since the events described in "The Paris Wife" took place during Hemingway's early years in Paris with his first wife Hadley, and it was during this time that he wrote the original draft of "A Moveable Feast." (It wasn't published until after his death, and was actually just revised by his grandson in 2009).

Honestly, there's not much to the book. It's just a collection of Hemingway's personal experiences in Paris in the 1920's. It's not fiction, it doesn't really have a plot, he switches between the first and second person a lot, he's very specific about names and places and addresses... it sorta just reads like a journal. But come on, a journal written by Ernest Hemingway?! You know it's fascinating.

I just love the way he writes. I was so taken with him when I first read him in 11th grade because his writing is so simple and so sharp... clean and cold and frank... but still so descriptive and passionate and real. It just kind of amazes me. I feel like it's how I would write if I could write. It's how I'd like to write. Does that make any sense? It's how I think, anyway.

I mean, the first line in "A Moveable Feast" is: "Then there was the bad weather." Doesn't that just make you smile?! In a way, that sentence makes sense all on it's own. Everyone can relate to that statement. But then, you also just HAVE to know what comes next.

In "A Moveable Feast," Hemingway talks about his writing process a little. He says, "All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know. If I started to write elaborately, or like someone introducing or presenting something, I found that I could cut that scrollwork or ornament out and throw it away and start with the first true simple declarative sentence I had written."

I think that is a perfect description of his writing. And that's why I like him so much. Not every single one of his statements rings true to me, but SO MANY of them do... and you can tell that he believes them all or he wouldn't have wasted his time including them. It's just so... purposeful. I respect that as a reader. I've always thought it was much harder to write short sentences and short stories. With enough words, anyone can get a thought across, but to do it in only a few words takes real talent.

I'm so glad I finally read this. And I'm actually glad that I read "The Paris Wife" first because I felt like it gave me some background and insight into the stories found in this book. I'm glad that his apologies to Hadley were included in this restored version. This was an entertaining, depressing, colorful, wonderful trip through 1920's Paris with the perfect tour guide.

Glow

2011-10-06T22:37:00.000-07:00

BOOK REVIEW

32. Glow (Sky Chasers Book 1)
Amy Kathleen Ryan

And... I'm lazy again so the book blurb comes from Amazon.com:

If a violent battle destroyed the only world you’ve ever known, would you be brave enough to save who was left? Would love be strong enough to survive the fight? Either way, there’s no turning back.

The Empyrean is the only home 15-year-old Waverly has ever known. Part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space, she and her boyfriend Kieran will be pioneers of New Earth. Waverly knows she must marry young in order to have children who can carry on the mission, and Kieran, the handsome captain-to-be, has everything Waverly could want in a husband. Everyone is sure he’s the best choice. Still, there’s a part of Waverly that wants more from life than marriage, and she is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

Suddenly, Waverly’s dreams are interrupted by the inconceivable – a violent betrayal by the Empyrean's sister ship, the New Horizon. The New Horizon’s leaders are desperate to populate the new planet first, and will do anything to get what they need: young girls. In one pivotal moment, Waverly and Kieran are separated, and find themselves at the helm of dangerous missions, where every move has potentially devastating consequences, and decisions of the heart may lead to disaster.

I'd say that's a pretty good description of the book. Sounds super cool, right? The thing is, I just didn't think the book was all that great. This new series has been compared to the Hunger Games trilogy. The only thing that was similar is that it is a futuristic, dystopian setting with a crazy plot line. The story worked and I felt like it was well thought-out and it is definitely entertaining... but I just didn't like it. It's so not Hunger Games quality. It's kind of weird subject matter and I didn't like all the talk about religion. Either you're a religious nutcase willing to kill for your cause or you're an atheist? Um, I'm pretty sure most people are in between.

I dunno... I wanted to like it, but I didn't. I don't think it deserves all the hype it got. I probably won't bother with the other books in the series.

Beautiful Days

2011-09-28T15:16:00.000-07:00

BOOK REVIEW

31. Beautiful Days
Anna Godbersen

This is the second book in the "Bright Young Things" series. I liked it better than the first book. I'm not sure how many books there will be in the series, but this one left me satisfied so I'm not dying for the next one to come out, but I will read it when it does. See the post before this one for more info... I'm too lazy to write anything else. :)

Bright Young Things

2011-09-28T15:14:00.000-07:00

BOOK REVIEW

30. Bright Young Things
Anna Godbersen

I'm feeling lazy so I copied the summary from Amazon:

The year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties.

Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star…

Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined—and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for . . . and someone will.

The only person Cordelia can trust is Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.

Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls' fortunes will rise and fall—together and apart. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Luxe comes an epic new series set in the dizzying last summer of the Jazz Age.

I read "The Luxe" series (written by the same author) last year (or maybe the year before, it's all a blur) and I really enjoyed it. The ending of the last book (there were 4 in the series) bugged me a bit, but I just loved how the author described all the sights and feelings of the era... the clothes, the hair, the buildings, the food, the social customs... it totally brought the time period (turn of the century 1900's) alive for me. So I thought the books were great fun and I'd recommend them.

I'm feeling the same way about this series. I mean who doesn't love the 20's? Some of the characters were annoying and the story lines felt a bit cliche, but being transported by the descriptions of the dresses and the hair and the cars was enough to keep me hooked. If you need some mindless, entertaining YA fiction, you might enjoy these too.

Uncommon Criminals

2011-09-13T14:26:00.000-07:00

BOOK REVIEW

29. Uncommon Criminals
Ally Carter

Obviously, this is the sequel to "Heist Society." I like these books because they're clean and fun and easy to read without being silly. They're even a bit smart. I could never plan a heist. The other good thing about them is that they're not dependent on each other. The first one wrapped up nicely and didn't leave me hanging for the second one. Same thing this time--- if another book in the series is written, I'll read it, but if not, I can move on happily.

Heist Society

2011-09-05T21:44:00.000-07:00

BOOK REVIEW

28. Heist Society
Ally Carter

This was just a fun, fluffy, easy read and I really enjoyed it. It was cute, clean, and entertaining without being corny. I was pleasantly surprised. I actually liked the story and the characters so much that I'm currently reading the sequel.

Kat comes from a family of professional thieves. She decides to get out of the life and enroll in boarding school. But when someone blames her dad for a theft that he didn't actually commit and threatens his life, she gets pulled in for one last job. She assembles a team-- her cousins, and her cute, rich best friend/almost boyfriend-- and they pull off a next-to-impossible job.

Kat's character is smart and clever and self-assured. Her boyfriend is sweet and easy to like. I'm always fascinated by fictional heists-- I could never think of those plans... And let's be honest, I secretly wish I was a thief.... or at least knew how to pick pockets.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

2011-08-30T13:16:00.000-07:00

BOOK REVIEW

27. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Rebecca Skloot

Oh my gosh, LOVED this book. It was just so fascinating for me. I'm totally a microbiology nerd so I loved the science behind the story... and the author did a great job of blending in the personal stories behind the science as well.

I find it so amazing that HeLa cells are so widely used and have been so instrumental in science and medicine, yet the story of the person who contributed the cells has never been told...until now.

Henrietta Lacks was a poor black woman who lived in Baltimore in the 50's. She had a tumor on her cervix and went to Johns Hopkins for treatment. She eventually died, but while she was in the hospital, a sample of her tumor was given to a scientist there who was trying to grow "immortal" human cells... cells that could grow outside the body in culture and be used for scientific testing. Until this time, no one had successfully been able to do this... until Henrietta's cells showed up. They grew... and grew and grew! They were passed around, sold by the billions, and used in hundreds of scientific experiments. They lead to the polio vaccine, the HPV vaccines, uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb’s effects, and helped lead to important advances in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping.

Yet, until this book, Henrietta Lacks was virtually unknown, buried in an unmarked grave. Henrietta, nor her family who survived her, didn't know that her cells were being used until decades later. This book describes Henrietta's life, her medical treatment, the journey of the HeLa cells, and her family's efforts to come to grips with the entire thing. The author also discusses informed consent (at the time of Henrietta, that phrase didn't even exist) and the rights of patients to their own tissues. Very fascinating, easy to read, makes you feel smarter... I thought it was awesome!

The Thirteenth Tale.

2011-08-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

BOOK REVIEW

26. The Thirteenth Tale
Diane Setterfield

I'm not quite sure about this one... I think I really liked it. When I was reading it I kept thinking that there were some creepy parts and maybe it wasn't quite what I had hoped. But then I realized that it was supposed to feel like an old-fashioned English ghost story and that "creepy" was appropriate. The characters were interesting and a bit haunting. Since I finished it, I have thought about it several times, and if a book stays with me, I think that means I like it.

The main character is a quiet, young girl who works in her father's bookshop. She loves to read... and in the first chapter of this book where she is describing her feelings for books... I think I highlighted a million things. I could so relate.

She gets a cryptic letter one night asking her to come to the house of the century's most famous author to write her biography. There is a lot of mystery surrounding this author, as she has given hundreds of interviews, but never actually told the truth about her life. She promises to tell the young bookshop girl the truth.

The story was intriguing. I read it quickly because I really wanted to know what was going to happen next. It felt a bit like "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton. Same type of writing... like you just feel like you're on a rainy English moor.

Forever

2011-07-27T21:43:00.001-07:00

BOOK REVIEW
25. Forever
Maggie Stiefvater

This is the last book in a trilogy. The first two books are called "Shiver" and "Linger." The basic premise is that a girl falls in love with a guy who is a werewolf. He only shifts into wolf form when it gets really cold outside. It sounds dumb and overplayed... like how many werewolf/vampire/supernatural trilogies do we need? But really, this series felt unique and I really, really liked it.

Each chapter in the book is written by a different character so you get several different voices and perspectives all coming together to create the storyline.

I feel like I say this a lot (maybe I just have a hard time with endings), but I did feel like the ending of this third book was a little rushed. I just prefer it when the author really lays out where the characters are going and what is going to happen to them once we say goodbye. I need closure. I felt like this just said, "OK, everything will work out... somehow. The end." But at the same time, I was OK with the end and I enjoyed the whole series enough that it didn't really taint me. I felt like it was worth my time and I'll miss those wolves of Mercy Falls.

Before I Go To Sleep

2011-07-15T10:52:00.000-07:00

BOOK REVIEW
24. Before I Go To Sleep
S.J. Watson

Have you ever gone on vacation and woken up the first morning and for a second you can't remember where you are or how you got there? Imagine that happened to you every single morning and that your memories never came back. The woman in this book wakes up every morning with no memory of who she is, where she is, or who the man laying next to her is. She has a rare form of amnesia that prevents her from both recalling past memories and creating new ones. Everyday she has to relearn everything, and then as soon as she falls asleep at night she forgets it all again. Sounds intriguing, right?

This story definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. Partway through the book, the woman starts to suspect that her husband-- the only person she knows-- is someone who can't be trusted. Some things just don't add up. She's trying to piece her life together by writing in a journal and working with a doctor that her husband doesn't know about. Eventually it all comes to a head and though the end wasn't totally surprising, it kept me guessing for a while.

I'm not going to tell you to read this book, because there was quite a bit of bad language and some sex. But it was really entertaining! It felt very much like a Lifetime movie. You're watching it and you know it's corny or insane or really depressing, but you just can stop until you finish it. That's exactly how this was. I'm sure I'll see this story pop up on LMN sometime soon. You can just wait for the movie. A lot less cuss words that way.

1776

2011-07-13T22:37:00.000-07:00

BOOK REVIEW
23. 1776
David McCullough

I really like how this author presents well-researched facts in an interesting way without promoting his own opinions or conclusions. I felt like this particular story and all of the characters were dealt with honestly and fairly. The actions of most of the revolutionaries speak for themselves and by just providing us with a sketch of their backgrounds, accomplishments, and even physical appearance, he helps us get to know them better and develop respect for them and what they went through. I thought George Washington was presented especially well. It's easy to see why he has the great reputation that he does. The author balanced the information between the man and the myth really well-- showing his human side, his worries, his faith in God, and his decision-making process. I'm constantly amazed that we ever won that war, and after reading this I'm even more amazed, but I can see how it was accomplished by the people who fought and the God who inspired them. Historical books do take a bit more effort to get through, but I felt like this story moved along in an easy, organized fashion and I learned a lot. A very worthwhile read.

The Wednesday Wars

2011-07-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

BOOK REVIEW
22. The Wednesday Wars
Gary D. Schmidt

OK, this book was seriously ADORABLE! I'm not exactly sure who the intended audience is--- it's written in the first person by an 11 year old boy, and I think it would be appropriate for and enjoyed by junior high-aged kids--- but, as an adult I was so charmed and entertained that even though at times it felt a bit juvenile, it was so clever and heart-warming that I want to tell everyone I know to read it.

In a nutshell, the story is about Holling Hoodhood (horrid name, I know). He lives in 1960's New York and every Wednesday afternoon half the kids in his class go to Jewish temple and the other half go to Catholic catechism. Holling is the only Presbyterian, so he gets stuck all alone with his last period teacher every week. And of course, he is convinced that she hates him. She makes him read Shakespeare!

There's so much more to the story than that--- the history of the time period was woven in so effortlessly--- Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy, the Vietnam War, sharing a Coke with a girl at Woolworth's...

Holling is SUCH a like-able character. I laughed out loud several times and even got teary-eyed more than once. This book was just such a delightful surprise! It only took me a few hours to read, but I'm still smiling from the experience. It's worth spending your summer afternoon on.

The Maid: A Novel of Joan of Arc

2011-07-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

BOOK REVIEW
21. The Maid: A Novel of Joan of Arc
Kimberly Cutter

First of all, I have to say that I feel very cool for having read this book when it hasn't even been released yet. That's right- I have hook ups. OK, not really. I like to think I'm cooler than I really am.

My friend Janssen is a Master Librarian Extraordinaire (I don't know the official title, but she's a genius with a Master's degree who reads more than any person I have ever met) and she often gets her hands on "advanced reader copies." Recently on her blog she posted a list of some of the ARC's that she had picked up at a conference she attended. I turned green with envy because among them are a couple of sequels I'm waiting impatiently for and this book called "The Maid" which I had heard some buzz about and was planning to read when it came out in October. Janssen graciously agreed to send it to me and I set to reading.

After all that, I wish I could say that I loved the book, but alas, I did not. Before I read it, I knew a bit about Joan of Arc and I've always been fascinated by her story, but I never completely understood what she did, or why she did it, or why she was so hated- and then revered- by the Catholic church. This book is very historically accurate as far as names, dates, places, and events. After I read it, I did some research on Joan's life and was surprised at how true to life the book was. So, I now have a very good grasp on who she was and what she did.

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about here's a reader's digest version: Joan of Arc lived in France during the 1400's. France was engaged in the "Hundred Years War" with England and they were getting their trash kicked. The king of France (who was insane) had died and his wife had told the remaining son that he was a bastard, so he was never crowned as king. Meanwhile, a 14 year old girl who was illiterate and poor as dirt, but very religious and a virgin, received a vision from 3 saints telling her that it was her mission to kick the English out of France and crown the Dauphin (the supposed bastard prince- who was in hiding) as the rightful king of France. She teaches herself to ride a horse, runs away from home, and over the next 4 years actually succeeds in meeting the Dauphin, leading armies into battle, turning the tide of the war, and crowning the king. She falls short of her mission of getting rid of the English completely, but her actions did help turn the tide of the war. She was captured, imprisoned, and eventually burned at the stake as a witch. Then, a few years later, the new Pope decides that the old Pope had made a mistake and declares her innocent and says she died as a martyr. In the early 1900's she was given sainthood.

On a personal religious level, I just don't quite know what I think about that. I mean, I'm Mormon, so I believe that God appeared to a 14 year old boy and told him where an ancient record was kept and instructed him on how to restore Christ's true church to the earth. So I have no problem believing that God can appear to whoever he wants, especially during the "'dark ages" when there was no true church on the earth. But, I don't quite understand why God would have been so involved in the fate of the Hundred Years War. Telling someone to establish a church, sure. Telling someone to go to war to defend a country that at the time had very little value, I don't understand it. I'm not saying it didn't happen and there wasn't good reason for it. Maybe something happened as a result of her actions that was very important in God's great scheme of things. I'm just saying, I don't quite know how I feel about it.

But, back to the book. Like I said, I appreciated that the book was very accurate as far as information. But the writing style of the author and the commentary of the characters- I just did not like it at all. I don't know how to explain it- there's this type of writing that I come across from time to time that feels almost dirty to me... like there's all this imagery and these strange descriptions that just feel weird. I feel like the author cares more about shocking the reader or about the art of the language more than just telling a good, clean story. I don't know how else to explain it. Had I not borrowed the book from someone who lives in Texas, and had I not been interested in the life story of Joan of Arc, I probably would have quit reading this about 50 pages in. I just didn't love it. I really wanted to, but I don't think the author did the story justice. I think she made the possible "holiness" of the events seem shallow or fallible. But, I'm sure many others would disagree. So...

That's my take. The end.

2011 Books (Jan-June)

2011-06-28T18:25:00.001-07:00

Here's a list of the books I read in the first half of 2011. Again, favorites are bolded. AND they're in the right order this time! From now on, I'll probably review each book one at a time as I finish it, so check back often. I know, you're waiting with bated breath. Haha.

1. 365 Thank Yous: The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed my Life
John Kralik
THIS WAS A FANTASTIC BOOK! I'M SO GLAD I STARTED THE NEW YEAR WITH IT. THE PREMISE IS SIMPLE AND THE AUTHOR IS JUST A REGULAR GUY... AND THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF IT. IT'S REAL AND HONEST AND EASY TO READ... I ALREADY FEEL CHANGED BY THE BOOK. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG BELIEVER IN WRITING THANK YOU NOTES, BUT LATELY I'VE SLACKED OFF A BIT. THIS BOOK RECHARGED ME! I WROTE 8 THANK YOU NOTES LAST NIGHT AND IT FELT REALLY GOOD. I'LL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW TO READ THIS BOOK THIS YEAR.

2. A Scattered Life
Karen McQuestion
IT WAS A FINE BOOK. IT WAS FREE ON MY KINDLE AND A QUICK READ. I LIKED THE STORY, BUT I FELT LIKE THERE WASN'T MUCH DEPTH TO IT. MEH.

3. Selected Poems of Robert Frost
I LIKE ROBERT FROST. SIMPLE, BUT INTERESTING, EARTHY, BUT ABSTRACT... A GREAT POET TO START THE YEAR WITH.

4. Sex Lives of Wives
Holly H. Hollenbeck
I LIKE THE AUTHOR'S NAME. :) BUT THE BOOK WAS NOT WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. I THOUGHT IT WAS CORNY... LIKE JUST A BUNCH OF OPINIONS (THAT I DIDN'T REALLY AGREE WITH) RATHER THAN ANYTHING SCIENTIFIC OR REALISTIC. MEH.

5. Echo in the Bone (Outlander Series, Book 7)
Diana Galbaldon
THIS IS THE 7TH BOOK IN THE SERIES AND I AM SO HOOKED. THESE BOOKS CAN BE A LITTLE RACY, BUT I ADORE THE CHARACTERS AND I AM CONSTANTLY AMAZED BY ALL THE HISTORICAL INFORMATION PACKED INTO EACH BOOK. THEY'RE ENTERTAINING, FASCINATING, EXCITING, EMOTIONAL, ROMANTIC, THRILLING... I AM JUST SUCH A FAN. NOW I HAVE TO WAIT IN AGONY FOR THE NEXT BOOK TO COME OUT. AHH!

6. A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens
I'D READ THIS ONE IN HIGH SCHOOL, ALONG WITH "GREAT EXPECTATIONS" (WHICH I DID NOT LIKE). I REMEMBERED LIKING THIS ONE, BUT THAT WAS ALL I REMEMBERED, SO WHEN MY BOOK CLUB PICKED IT FOR FEBRUARY I GAVE IT ANOTHER GO. I REALLY, REALLY ENJOYED IT. SOME "CLASSICS" MAKE ME QUESTION WHY THEY ARE CLASSICS. THIS ONE DESERVES THE TITLE.

7. The Outlandish Companion
Diana Gabaldon
I WAS HAVING "BOOK DEPRESSION" AFTER I FINISHED THE LAST BOOK IN THE OUTLANDER SERIES SO I DECIDED TO READ THIS COMPANION BOOK-- IT'S JUST EXTRA INFO ABOUT THE SERIES... I LIKED IT. I THINK IT JUST MADE ME MORE IMPATIENT FOR BOOK 8 THOUGH.

8. Outlander
Diana Gabaldon
OK, SO I WAS HAVING SUCH WITHDRAWALS, I DECIDED TO START BACK AT BOOK 1 (I'M PRETTY SURE I WON'T RE-READ THE ENTIRE SERIES). I LOVED THIS BOOK AS MUCH THE SECOND TIME AROUND... MAYBE EVEN MORE SO BECAUSE I'M SO MUCH MORE ATTACHED TO THE CHARACTERS AND I KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HAS IN STORE FOR THEM. SOOOO GOOD.

9. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
Erik Larson
ONE OF MY GOALS THIS YEAR WAS TO READ MORE NON-FICTION. THIS BOOK WAS AWESOME! SOMETIMES NON-FICTION IS BORING. THIS BOOK WAS ANYTHING BUT. THE INFO ABOUT THE WORLD'S FAIR WAS SO UNBELIEVABLE... I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE HOW THEY ACCOMPLISHED ALL THEY ACCOMPLISHED IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. AND PARALLELING THAT STORY WITH THE STORY OF A SERIAL KILLER? SEEMS CRAZY, BUT IT TOTALLY WORKED (AND IT WASN'T TOO GRUESOME)... IT WAS JUST A REALLY GREAT BOOK. I LOVED IT!

10. Healing Places: The Science of Place and Well-Being
Esther M. Sternberg
NOT A REAL NOVEL CONCEPT--- BUT I REALLY ENJOYED READING THE SCIENCE BEHIND A THEORY THAT I ALREADY BELIEVE IN. I'M VERY VISUAL... VERY STIMULATED (OR NOT) BY MY SURROUNDINGS... AND I LOVE THE IDEA THAT BEING IN CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTS CAN HAVE SUCH A POWERFUL EFFECT ON THE HUMAN BODY AND SPIRIT. THIS ONE FASCINATED ME.

11. A Brief History of Time
Stephen Hawking
THIS BOOK HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON MY RADAR, BUT I'D NEVER READ IT. I'M SO GLAD I FINALLY PICKED IT UP! (I'M HAVING GOOD LUCK WITH MY NON-FICTION CHOICES THIS YEAR). SUCH INTERESTING INFORMATION EXPLAINED IN AN UNDERSTANDABLE WAY. I FEEL LIKE IT WAS A CHALLENGE TO READ, BUT A GOOD CHALLENGE. I WASN'T BORED-- I FELT SMARTER AND MORE CONNECTED AFTER HAVING READ THIS. IT'S WORTH YOUR TIME.

12. Al Capone Does My Shirts
Gennifer Choldenko
IT WAS REALLY CUTE. A FUNNY LITTLE PREMISE, BUT AN INTERESTING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BROTHER AND AUTISTIC SISTER. I LOVED THE ENDING!!! I THINK THIS BOOK WON SOME AWARDS THIS YEAR AND IT DESERVED 'EM.
13. Water For Elephants
Sara Gruen
I STARTED THIS A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND THEN LENT IT OUT AND FINALLY GOT IT BACK AND JUST FINISHED READING IT. IT'S A LITTLE RACY AND VERY GRITTY, SO IT'S NOT FOR EVERYONE- BUT IT'S A STORY THAT STAYS WITH YOU... VERY VIVID AND CHARGED... I ENJOYED IT. I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE MOVIE TOO.

14. The Paris Wife
Paula McLain
I AM A HUGE HEMINGWAY FAN--- THE WAY HE CUTS ALL THE EXTRA LANGUAGE OUT OF HIS WRITINGS, BUT STILL MANAGES TO WEAVE INCREDIBLE STORIES RICH IN DETAIL... AH, SUCH A FAN. I LOVED THIS STORY ABOUT HIS EARLY YEARS AND HIS FIRST WIFE. HE LIVED A SAD LIFE AND I THINK HE WAS A BIT OF A TORTURED SOUL, SO THIS BOOK WAS KINDA DEPRESSING, BUT IT HELPED ME UNDERSTAND HIM BETTER AND REMINDED ME WHY I LOVE HIS WRITING SO MUCH. IN A WAY, MCLAIN'S WRITING FELT A LITTLE LIKE HEMINGWAY'S SO IN PARTS I FELT LIKE I WAS READING ONE OF HIS NOVELS. SHE WAS VERY HISTORICALLY ACCURATE... IF YOU LIKE HEMINGWAY, YOU'LL LIKE THIS BOOK.

15. Where She Went
Gayle Forman
THIS IS THE SEQUEL TO "IF I STAY" WHICH I READ LAST YEAR. I LIKED THAT BOOK, ESPECIALLY THE END, BUT I LOVED THIS ONE! IT WAS A QUICK READ... VERY INTERESTING CHARACTERS, LOTS OF EMOTION, LOTS OF DETAIL, AND TIED UP NICELY AT THE END.

16. Easily Amused
Karen McQuestion
THIS WAS A CUTE, FUN READ. NOT A LOT OF DEPTH TO IT, BUT I FLEW THROUGH IT QUICKLY AND RATHER ENJOYED IT.

17. Delirium
Lauren Oliver
I LOVED THIS BOOK! A GREAT ADDITION TO THE Y.A. DYSTOPIAN GENRE WITHOUT FEELING REPETITIVE. THE STORY WAS WELL THOUGHT-OUT AND ORIGINAL. IT REMINDED ME OF "THE GIVER"-- AND HAD SORT OF A CLIFFHANGER ENDING TOO (APPARENTLY IT'S THE FIRST IN A TRILOGY), BUT I LIKED IT ENOUGH TO ACCEPT IT AS A STAND-ALONE NOVEL. READ IT!

18. Half Broke Horses
Jeanette Walls
I HAVEN'T READ "THE GLASS CASTLE" BECAUSE IT SEEMS TOO DEPRESSING FOR ME. THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN BY THE SAME AUTHOR AND IT IS THE STORY OF THE GRANDMOTHER OF THE KIDS IN "THE GLASS CASTLE." THE GRANDMOTHER WAS NOTHING LIKE THE MOM-- THE GRANDMA WAS FREAKING AWESOME AND I LOVED READING ABOUT HER. I COULD HARDLY PUT THE BOOK DOWN. IT READS A LOT LIKE "THESE IS MY WORDS"-- SAME TYPE OF STORY AND SAME WESTERN LANGUAGE... TOTALLY WORTH THE READ! I LOVED IT!

19. Winter Sea
Susanna Kearsley
IN AN EFFORT TO FEED MY SCOTTISH ADDICTION WHILE I WAIT FOR ANOTHER "OUTLANDER" BOOK, I RANDOMLY DECIDED TO READ THIS AND I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH I LIKED IT. IT REMINDED ME A BIT OF "THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN" IN THE WAY IT JUMPED BETWEEN TWO STORIES IN THE PAST AND PRESENT. I REALLY LIKED ALL THE CHARACTERS, AND I CONFESS, I DID NOT PREDICT THE ENDING. IT HAD AN INTERESTING PREMISE- I LIKE THE IDEA OF "GENETIC MEMORY"- AND I FELT REALLY DRAWN IN. I SWEAR I COULD SMELL THE SALTY SEA AIR. I'M NOT QUITE SURE ABOUT ONE THING THAT THE MAIN CHARACTER DID- THERE'S JUST NO WAY I WOULD HAVE DONE IT, BUT OVERALL THE BOOK WAS REALLY GOOD AND I THINK ANYONE WOULD ENJOY IT, WHETHER YOU'RE OBSESSED WITH SCOTLAND OR NOT. :)

20. My Year With Eleanor
Noelle Hancock
THIS IS ANOTHER NON-FICTION. THE GIRL LOSES HER JOB AND THEN GOES ON A YEAR-LONG QUEST TO CONQUER ALL HER FEARS, USING ELEANOR ROOSEVELT AS INSPIRATION. I THOUGHT I WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK, BUT IT WAS JUST OK FOR ME. I LIKE THE IDEA OF DOING CRAZY THINGS AND REALLY SUCKING THE MARROW OUT OF LIFE, BUT DOING THINGS THAT TERRIFY YOU ON PURPOSE? I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S ALL THAT AMAZING. I THINK WE HAVE FEARS FOR A REASON AND I DON'T THINK IT'S ALL THAT WONDERFUL TO GO SWIM WITH SHARKS JUST TO GET OVER YOUR FEAR OF SHARKS. IT'S PROBABLY SAFER JUST TO AVOID SHARKS. SPEND YOUR MONEY ON SOMETHING FUN INSTEAD. BUT STILL, I GET WHAT SHE WAS GOING FOR... IT IS A GREAT CONCEPT AND THE BOOK KEPT ME INTERESTED. AND I REALLY, REALLY WANT TO GO TO THAT FIGHTER PILOT SCHOOL SHE WENT TO.

2010 Books

2011-06-28T18:24:00.000-07:00

In 2010, I read 53 books. I had set a goal to read 75, but obviously that didn't happen. I decided that I didn't really care though... I don't want reading to be a stressful thing... I just want to read what I want to read when I want to read it. I did try to incorporate more non-fiction choices--- usually one per month--- and I really enjoyed that. I also rated the books on a 5 star scale with 5 being the best. Again, the books are listed backward in the order that I read them, so start at 1. And my favorites are bolded, so if you're looking for something to read, start with those.

53. Matched
Ally Condie
I LIKED IT BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE "THE GIVER..." BUT IT WASN'T AS GOOD AS THE GIVER, SO IT ENDED UP JUST BEING A BAD COPYCAT. I LIKED IT FINE, BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS AS GREAT AS EVERYONE SAYS. IF THERE ARE MORE BOOKS IN THE SERIES, I PROBABLY WON'T READ THEM. 3.75 STARS.

52. I'm With Fatty: Losing 50 Pounds in 50 Miserable Weeks
Edward Ugel
I REALLY ENJOYED THIS READ JUST BECAUSE I COULD IDENTIFY WITH IT. THE GUY'S ADDICTION TO FOOD IS TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE TO ANYONE WHO'S EVER BEEN OVERWEIGHT. I LIKED READING ABOUT HIS BATTLE AND HOW HE WENT ABOUT TRYING TO LOSE THE WEIGHT. PLUS HE WAS KINDA FUNNY AND SAD ALL AT ONCE. IT FELT MORE LIKE A JOURNAL THAN ANYTHING-- I'M KINDA SURPRISED SOMEONE PUBLISHED IT-- BUT THEN AGAIN, OBVIOUSLY I WAS WILLING TO READ IT, AND I DIDN'T HATE IT, SO THERE YOU GO. 3 STARS.

51. What the Dog Saw
Malcom Gladwell
ENJOYABLE. LIKE 'OUTLIERS' I FOUND IT INTERESTING READING AND THEN I THOUGHT ABOUT IT FOR WEEKS AFTERWARD AND FOUND MYSELF WANTING TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT WHAT I'D READ, SO I THINK IT'S WORTH THE TIME. 4 STARS.

50. Remember Me?
Sophie Kinsella
A LITTLE TOO HEAVY ON THE SWEAR WORDS, BUT CUTE AND FUN. 3.5 STARS.

49. Dead Until Dark
Charlaine Harris
WHAT IS IT WITH VAMPIRES AND SEX? DARK, BUT REALLY ENTERTAINING. I READ IT IN LIKE 2 SECONDS, BUT I DON'T THINK I'LL CONTINUE WITH THE SERIES. 3.5 STARS.

48. Dangerous to Know (The Emily Ashton Series, Book 5)
Tasha Alexander
I LOVE ALL THE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES. THEY'RE ALL A LITTLE CORNY, BUT TOTALLY CLEAN AND ENTERTAINING. I LOVE READING ABOUT THE CLOTHES AND THE ART FROM THAT TIME PERIOD. FUN, CUTE LITTLE MYSTERIES. 4 STARS.

47. Beautiful Darkness
Kami Garcia
SEQUEL TO 'BEAUTIFUL CREATURES.' I THINK I LIKED IT. I DIDN'T LOVE IT... IT WAS A LITTLE CRAZY IN PLACES, BUT IT WAS ENTERTAINING AND I'M SAD IT'S OVER SO I GUESS THAT MEANS I ENJOYED IT. I LIKE THAT THE STORY IS TOLD BY A GUY. I KINDA WISH IT HAD JUST TIED UP ALL THE ENDS THOUGH... I'M REALLY GETTING SICK OF TRILOGIES. I DON'T THINK I'LL READ THE NEXT ONE.

46. Almost Sisters
Nancy Anderson
CUTE, CLEAN GIRLY BOOK.

45. Pillars of the Earth
Ken Follett
I ONLY GOT HALF WAY THROUGH AND QUIT, BUT IT TOOK ME SO LONG, I'M COUNTING IT ON MY LIST. INTERESTING AND ENGAGING, BUT WAY TOO DARK AND VIOLENT FOR ME. BLEH. EH. UGH.

44. Seven Miracles That Saved America
Chris Stewart
FANTASTIC BOOK! EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT! 4.5 STARS.

43. Target Underwear and a Vera Wang Gown
Adena Halpern
IT WAS ENTERTAINING. THE GIRL KINDA BUGGED ME... I'M INTERESTED IN FASHION, BUT SHE WAS SERIOUSLY OBSESSED...LIKE SHE COULDN'T EVEN GO TO WORK BECAUSE SHE HAD NOTHING TO WEAR. THAT WAS A LITTLE TOO OBNOXIOUS FOR ME. I ENJOYED IT THOUGH. AND SHE'S RIGHT ABOUT THOSE TARGET UNDERWEAR- THEY ARE THE BEST. 3.5 STARS.

42. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Jacqueline Kelly
SLOW READING, BUT A GREAT, CLEAN, CUTE STORY. I COULD TOTALLY RELATE TO CALLIE VEE AND ALL THE CHARACTERS WERE SO VIVID. IT DESERVED THE PRAISE IT GOT THIS YEAR. 4 STARS.

41. My Name is Memory
Ann Brashares
I LOVED THE STORY. LOVED IT!!! IT GOT THE WHOLE REINCARNATION/LOVE-THROUGH-THE-AGES THING RIGHT. ("FALLEN" AND "EVERMORE" TRIED IT AND ENDED UP BEING STUPID, I THOUGHT). THIS ONE REALLY WORKED. I LOVED THE CHARACTERS, I LOVED THE HISTORY, I LOVED HOW ALL THE PAST LIVES TIED TOGETHER. IT WAS SERIOUSLY GREAT. UNTIL THE END... THERE WAS NO CLOSURE. I DON'T GET IT. MAYBE A SEQUEL IS IN THE WORKS? IF SO, I'M DELIGHTED AND CAN'T WAIT. IF NOT, THE ENDING RUINED THE BOOK. WELL, MAYBE NOT. I STILL LOVED IT. I JUST WANT MORE! 4.5 STARS, I THINK.

40. Juliet
Anne Fortier
SUCH A FUN, INTERESTING, MYSTERIOUS TWIST ON THE STORY OF ROMEO AND JULIET. IT'S LIKE DAN BROWN'S BOOKS BUT FOR WOMEN. ALL THE ENDS TIED UP NICELY AND I WAS TOTALLY ENGAGED THE WHOLE TIME. SERIOUSLY A FANTASTIC READ! 4.75 STARS.

39. Jellicoe Road
Melina Marchetta
IT WAS ACTUALLY A FANTASTIC BOOK. IT WAS A LITTLE WEIRD...IT FELT SORT OF DISJOINTED AT FIRST, BUT ONCE I JUST ACCEPTED IT AND ENJOYED THE READ, I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY GREAT. WEIRD, BUT GREAT. THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY. 4 STARS.

38.The Postmistress
Sarah Blake
IT WAS TOO ARTSY FOR ME. I DON'T LIKE BOOKS THAT ARE MORE ABOUT THE LANGUAGE AND THE IMAGERY THAN THE ACTUAL STORY. FOR ME THE STORY WAS HOLLOW AND DEPRESSING. NOT A FAN. 2.75 STARS.

37. Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander Series, Book 6)
Diana Gabaldon
LOVE LOVE LOVED IT! IT WAS AS STRONG AS THE FIRST COUPLE BOOKS IN THE SERIES, WHICH OF COURSE WERE FANTASTIC. THEY'VE ALL BEEN GOOD, BUT THIS ONE FELT VERY "JAMIE." LOTS OF SUSPENSE, LOTS OF ROMANCE... MOST LOOSE ENDS GOT TIED UP, BUT STILL SOME GOOD SETUP FOR THE NEXT ONE. 5 STARS.

36. Selected Poems of Rainer Maria Rilke
trans. by Robert Bly
I JUST HAD IT IN MY HEAD THAT RILKE IS A POET I WOULD LIKE... EARTHY, PLAIN, BUT STILL SPIRITUAL. INSTEAD I FELT LIKE HIS STUFF WAS EITHER TOO LITERAL THAT IT WAS CORNY, OR SO ABSTRACT THAT I DIDN'T GET IT. I LOVE POETS WHEN THEIR POEMS SPEAK TO ME, AND HIS JUST DIDN'T. NO OFFENSE. :) 3 STARS.

35. Mockingjay (The Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 3)
Suzanne Collins
I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS. I THINK BECAUSE MY EXPECTATIONS WERE SO HIGH, I'M VERY JUDGEMENTAL, BUT I REALLY WASN'T A BIG FAN OF THIS ONE. THE FIRST TWO IN THE SERIES WERE SO PHENOMENAL! BUT THIS ONE JUST FELT OFF TO ME. KATNISS ENDED UP WITH THE GUY I WANTED HER TO, BUT THE REST OF THE BOOK WAS CONFUSING... NO CLEAR MISSION AND NO CLEAR RESOLUTION AT THE END. I HAD (AND STILL HAVE) NO IDEA WHO TO TRUST OR WHAT REALLY WENT ON. I HATE HOW KATNISS ACTED SO WEAK AND SPENT SO MUCH OF HER TIME ON MEDICATION OR HIDING IN A BACK ROOM. KATNISS IS A FIGHTER AND I DIDN'T SEE THAT IN THIS BOOK. SHE NEVER REALLY CHOOSE BETWEEN PEETA AND GALE, GALE JUST LEFT. HER SISTER, WHO SHE STEPPED UP TO SAVE IN THE ORIGINAL HUNGER GAMES DIED ANYWAY. THE NEW GOVERNMENT IS JUST AS CORRUPT AS THE OLD GOVERNMENT. MAYBE I JUST DIDN'T GET THE BOOK. WAS IT A PROTEST STATEMENT AGAINST WAR? SERIOUSLY. IT WAS INTENSE AND ENTERTAINING, BUT I EXPECTED MORE. EH... BLEH. BUMMER. 3 STARS.

34. The Giver
Lois Lowry
THE ENDING BUGGED ME A LITTLE.. I WANTED MORE... BUT THE BOOK WAS SERIOUSLY FANTASTIC! I'M SO GLAD I FINALLY READ IT. I'VE BEEN TOLD I HAVE TO READ THE NEXT TWO IN THE SERIES... THEY'RE ON MY LIST. 4.75 STARS.

33. Mockingbird
Kathryn Erskine
A UNIQUE, SWEET, GRITTY LITTLE READ. I LOVED THE P.O.V. AND THE PARALLELS WITH 'TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.' 4 STARS.

32. This World We Live In (The Last Survivors, Book 3)
Susan Beth Pfeffer
I WAS NOT A FAN OF HOW THIS SERIES ENDED. I MEAN, I GET THAT THERE WASN'T REALLY A SOLUTION, BUT SOME NICE SORT OF TIE UP WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE. INSTEAD THE MAIN CHARACTER WENT OFF THE DEEP END AND THEN IT JUST SORT OF ENDED. I WAS REALLY DISAPPOINTED. 3 STARS.

31. The Silence of God
Gale Sears
I LOVE HISTORICAL FICTION BECAUSE I ACTUALLY LEARN SOMETHING WITHOUT GETTING BORED. :) I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN RUSSIAN HISTORY, SO I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK. A COUPLE OF THE CHARACTERS FELT WEAK TO ME AND I DIDN'T LOVE THE ENDING, BUT I AM SUPER FASCINATED WITH THE HISTORY OF THE BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION. IT'S SO DEPRESSING HOW IT ALL CAME ABOUT AND IT'S HARD TO READ IT NOW, KNOWING WHAT A MISTAKE COMMUNISM WAS, BUT IT WAS INTERESTING TO READ IT FROM A FIRST-HAND PERSPECTIVE. IT'S WORTH YOUR TIME. 3.75 STARS.

30. Linger
Maggie Steifvater
A GOOD SEQUEL, WITH A GREAT TWIST AT THE END. NOT FANTASTIC, BUT IT KEPT MY ATTENTION AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN BOOK #3. 3.75 STARS.

29. The Dead and The Gone (The Last Survivors, Book 2)
Susan Beth Pfeffer
HOOKED ME FROM THE START. GOOD CHARACTERS, AND I LIKE HOW RELIGION AND FAITH PLAYED SUCH A PART IN THEIR LIVES. THIS SERIES IS DEPRESSING, BUT JUST FEELS SO POSSIBLE THAT IT'S FREAKY AND ENTERTAINING ALL AT ONCE. 4 STARS.

28. Let the Great World Spin
Colum McCann
HOW DO I SAY THIS? DON'T READ THIS BOOK. BAD LANGUAGE AND IT'S DEPRESSING. BUT, THE WAY THE GUY WRITES... SO CREATIVE...LIKE A FREE-WRITE...HOLDEN CAULFIELD-ISH...OR AN ACID TRIP... IT WAS WEIRD AND GRITTY. I ACTUALLY KINDA LIKED IT, BUT I WON'T ADMIT TO IT. SERIOUSLY THOUGH, WHAT A GREAT TITLE! :) 3 STARS.

27. Life As We Knew It (The Last Survivors, Book 1)
Susan Beth Pfeffer
THIS SERIES IS TOTALLY TYING ME OVER WHILE I WAIT FOR "MOCKINGJAY." I LOVE THE POST-APOCALYPTIC GENRE. GOOD CHARACTERS, FAST-PACED, AND FELT PLAUSIBLE. DEFINITELY MADE ME WANT TO RUN OUT AND BUY WAAAAY MORE FOOD STORAGE. :) 4 STARS!

26. Fallen
Lauren Kate
I THOUGHT I WOULD LOVE THIS. THE WHOLE REINCARNATION/LOVE ACROSS THE AGES THING SEEMED UP MY ALLEY, BUT I WAS DISAPPOINTED IN THIS BOOK. MAYBE THE SEQUELS ARE BETTER, BUT I DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO BOTHER. IT JUST DIDN'T GIVE ME ENOUGH. BLEH. 3 STARS.

25. The Fiery Cross (Outlander Series, Book 5)
Diana Gabaldon
I'M STILL HOOKED ON THIS SERIES. IT'S AMAZING TO ME ALL THE INFORMATION AND HISTORY THAT IS PACKED INTO EVERY ONE OF THESE NOVELS. NO WONDER IT TAKES HER YEARS TO WRITE THEM. I LOVE EACH CHARACTER AND HOW I GET LOST IN THEIR WORLD. THESE BOOKS ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE- A LITTLE SCANDALOUS AT TIMES, BUT I SERIOUSLY LOVE THEM. LOVE. 4 STARS.

24. Ruined
Paula Morris
A GREAT MYSTERY, BUT SORTA DARK. DIDN'T LOVE IT. 3 STARS.

23. The Forgotten Garden
Kate Morton
I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ON THIS ONE. I LOVE HOW THE MYSTERY KEPT ME HOOKED, BUT IT FELT A LITTLE DARK AT TIMES AND I GOT SORT OF CONFUSED WITH ALL THE JUMPING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN CHARACTERS AND TIME PERIODS. BUT I ALSO SORTA LIKED ALL THE JUMPING BACK AND FORTH. I LIKE HOW THE FAIRY-TALES PLAYED INTO THE STORY. HALF WAY THROUGH I DECIDED I HATED IT, BUT BY THE END I REALLY LIKED IT. SO I DUNNO. A GOOD READ OVERALL. 3.75 STARS.

22. These Is My Words
Nancy Turner
AN INSTANT FAVORITE! IT'S ONE OF THOSE BOOKS LIKE "GUERNSEY LITERARY SOCIETY" THAT I WOULD GIVE TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE TO READ. I THOUGHT IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! SUCH A STRONG, SMART, ENTERTAINING HEROINE. GREAT AMERICAN HISTORY, A SWEET SWEET LOVE STORY, AND A ROUGH, REAL, GRITTY EDGE TO IT ALL. JUST READ IT! 5 STARS.

21. Birthmarked
Caragh M. O'Brien
A GREAT ADDITION TO THE "DYSTOPIAN" GENRE. FAST-PACED, PROVOCATIVE, EMOTIONAL. THE HEROINE WAS STRONG AND SMART. IT'S NO "HUNGER GAMES" BUT I HAVEN'T ENJOYED Y.A. FICTION THIS MUCH SINCE READING THAT OR "FIRE" (A FAVORITE OF MINE) LAST YEAR. 4.5 STARS.

20. The Hot Zone: A Terrifying True Story
Richard Preston
VERY WELL-RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN IN A VERY READABLE WAY. I LOVED THE SUBJECT MATTER-- TOTALLY INTERESTING TO ME! I READ IT OUT LOUD TO NATE AND HE LOVED IT TOO. THE WAY THEY HANDLED THE WHOLE RESTON SITUATION MADE ME CRINGE-- THEY'RE JUST LUCKY IT WASN'T A HUGE DISASTER. I WOULD READ MORE BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR. 4.5 STARS.

19. The Andromeda Strain
Michael Crichton
I'D NEVER READ A CRICHTON BOOK BEFORE. IT WAS GOOD, BUT NOT GREAT. IN ANOTHER LIFE, I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO WORK AT THE CDC- EPIDEMIOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY TOTALLY FASCINATE ME... SO THIS BOOK WAS RIGHT UP MY ALLEY. IT HAD A LOT OF GREAT BUILD-UP, BUT THE CLIMAX WAS A LET-DOWN AND THEN IT JUST SORT OF ENDED. I WASN'T A FAN. SORTA CORNY, IF I'M BEING HONEST. SOME GREAT SCIENTIFIC THEORIES THOUGH. FOR NOW, I'VE MOVED ON TO A BOOK ABOUT THE EBOLA VIRUS AND I'M HOOKED! MORE TO COME... 3 STARS.

18. Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith
Deborah Heiligman
A WONDERFUL BOOK! THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED AND SO READABLE. DARWIN WAS A FASCINATING MAN... NOT AT ALL WHO I WOULD HAVE PICTURED AS THE FATHER OF EVOLUTION. I FEEL SO ATTACHED TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY. I LOVED THE HISTORY AND ALL THE GREAT FACTUAL INFORMATION IN THE BOOK, BUT I REALLY LOVED THE LOVE STORY AND THE RELATABILITY OF THE CHARACTERS. IT'S NOT A "KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF" BOOK, BUT IT'S SOOOOO WORTH READING. I FEEL BETTER AND SMARTER FOR HAVING GIVEN IT A FEW HOURS OF MY TIME. 5 STARS.

17. Saving Sailor: A Novel
Renee Riva
A HEART-WARMING READ. THE GIRL REMINDED ME OF SCOUT (FROM TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD). IT TOTALLY TOOK ME BACK TO BEING A KID WHEN ALL THAT REALLY MATTERED WAS MY DOG AND THINGS SEEMED SO BLACK AND WHITE. THE CHARACTERS WERE FUN AND VIVID. A CHARMING BOOK WITH A GOOD MORAL. 4.25 STARS.

16. The 12 Sacred Traditions of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law
Haywood Smith
A RANDOM READ FOR ME, BUT IT WAS FREE ON MY KINDLE AND I ACTUALLY REALLY LIKED IT. GREAT TIPS ON HOW TO GET ALONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND HOW TO DEAL WITH (AND BE) MARRIED, ADULT CHILDREN. 4 STARS.

15. Milkweed
Jerry Spinelli
I LOVE WWII HISTORY AND THIS WAS A VERY UNIQUE SIDE OF THE STORY. THE MAIN CHARACTER IS BIZARRE, BUT SEEING THE HORROR OF THE WAR THROUGH HIS EYES WAS TOTALLY ENLIGHTENING. I REALLY, REALLY LIKED IT. 4 STARS.

14. The Maze Runner
James Dashner
DYSTOPIAN, FUTURISTIC, FREAKINESS, HUNGER GAMES WANNA-BE. I LIKED THAT I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON THE WHOLE TIME. IT TOTALLY HAD ME HOOKED AND IT WAS AWESOME UNTIL THE END. IT FELL A LITTLE FLAT FOR ME... I WANTED IT TO TOTALLY THROW ME FOR A LOOP AND IT DIDN'T. BUT APPARENTLY IT'S PART OF A TRILOGY AND YOU GUESSED IT...THE NEXT INSTALLMENT ISN'T OUT YET. I DON'T THINK I'LL CONTINUE WITH THE SERIES, BUT THIS BOOK WILL BE ONE THAT'S HARD TO FORGET. 3.75 STARS.

13. Once a Witch
Carolyn MacCullough
NOT STELLAR, BUT NOT BAD EITHER. IT HAD MAGIC, TIME TRAVEL, AND WEIRD NAMES SO OF COURSE I LIKED IT. A FUN, FLUFFY, SUPERNATURAL READ. 3.5 STARS.

12. Outliers: The Story of Success
Malcolm Gladwell
SO INTERESTING! I LOVED ALL THE FACTS AND THE CONCLUSIONS HE DREW FROM THEM. I LOVED THE OVERALL MESSAGE. THE STUFF ABOUT THE PILOTS AND THE EFFECTS THAT OUR HERITAGE HAS ON US WAS SO FASCINATING TO ME. I'VE FOUND MYSELF REFERRING TO THIS BOOK SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I READ IT. A GREAT READ! 4.5 STARS.

11. Shiver
Maggie Stiefvater
I LOVED IT! IT FELT A LITTLE TWILIGHT-ISH WITH THE WHOLE WEREWOLVES THING, BUT THE GIRL WAS WAY MORE "WITH IT" THAN BELLA AND I REALLY LIKED HOW IT SWITCHED BETWEEN TWO POINTS OF VIEW. THE PARENTS WERE CAST AS DUMB/ABSENT, WHICH SEEMS TO BE A TREND IN Y.A. FICTION (HOW COULD THE TEENS GET AWAY WITH ALL THE INTERESTING STUFF OTHERWISE?), AND THAT SORTA BUGS ME, BUT THE GUY WAS SO SWEET AND I'M EXCITED FOR THE NEXT BOOK! 4.5 STARS.

10. Ender's Game
Orson Scott Card
I LOVED IT! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO PICK IT UP. IT AMAZES ME THAT HE WROTE IT IN THE 70'S, YET THE TECHNOLOGY DOESN'T SEEM OUTDATED. THE ENDING THREW ME FOR A LOOP. I LOVED ENDER'S CHARACTER AND THE WAY HE THINKS...SO INTELLIGENT AND CALCULATING, YET TRYING DESPERATELY TO HOLD ONTO HIS HUMANITY. DEFINITELY WORTH READING. 5 STARS.

9. Drums of Autumn (Outlander Series, Book 4)
Diana Gabaldon
SOOOO GOOD. LEFT ME IN A GOOD PLACE. NOW I'LL MAKE MYSELF READ SOMETHING ELSE BEFORE I FINISH THE SERIES. 4 STARS.

8. Voyager (Outlander Series, Book 3)
Diana Gabaldon
A LITTLE DARK, BUT STILL GOOD. I REALLY LIKED LEARNING THE HISTORY OF THE ISLANDS. 3.75 STARS.

7. Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander Series, Book 2)
Diana Gabaldon
OH JAMIE! I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THE GUY IN THESE BOOKS. :) I TRY TO GET NATE TO SPEAK WITH A SCOTTISH ACCENT. :) I LOVE THE HISTORY AND THE DESCRIPTIVE WRITING TOO, BUT OH JAMIE! 4.5 STARS.

6. Beautiful Creatures
Kami Garcia
ENGAGING, SORTA DARK, TOTALLY FUN! I LIKED THAT THE MAIN CHARACTER WAS A GUY. ENDS TIED UP ENOUGH THAT I'M NOT DYING FOR THE NEXT ONE, BUT STILL EXCITED TO GET THE REST OF THE STORY. 4.5 STARS.

5. Persuasion
Jane Austen
I'VE NEVER BEEN AN AUSTEN FAN. I HATE THAT TIME PERIOD...SILLY WOMEN, CHAUVINISTIC MEN, AND STUPID SOCIAL CUSTOMS. BUT, I ACTUALLY LIKED THIS BOOK. THE HEROINE WAS STRONGER AND SMARTER THAN THE OTHER AUSTEN GIRLS AND I LIKED HER. I'M GLAD I READ IT. 4 STARS.

4. The Help
Kathryn Stockett
AMAZING! TOUGH SUBJECT MATTER, BUT WRITTEN IN AN APPROACHABLE WAY. FASCINATING HISTORY, GREAT LANGUAGE, ENDEARING CHARACTERS, UNIQUE POINT OF VIEW... TOTALLY TRANSPORTED ME TO THE DEEP SOUTH EVERY TIME I PICKED IT UP! IT AMAZES ME THAT ALL THE "VOICES" IN THE BOOK WERE WRITTEN BY ONE PERSON. THERE WAS ONE LITTLE PART THAT I THOUGHT WAS STUPID, AND THE ENDING FELT A LITTLE RUSHED TO ME, BUT OVERALL IT WAS SUPERB. 5 STARS.

3. The Everafter
Amy Huntley
A UNIQUE TAKE ON THE "AFTER LIFE." SORT OF DEPRESSING, I THOUGHT, BUT I LIKED THE ORIGINALITY. I FELT LIKE IT COULD HAVE BEEN AMAZING WITH A LITTLE MORE DEVELOPMENT. IT FELL A LITTLE FLAT FOR ME. 3 STARS.

2. If I Stay
Gayle Forman
IT WAS SAD AND I CRIED. BUT IT WAS REALLY GOOD AND I LOVED THE ENDING! 4 STARS.

1. The Actor and the Housewife
Shannon Hale
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE MAIN CHARACTERS' RELATIONSHIP PRETTY MUCH THE WHOLE TIME, SO IT KIND OF RUINED THE BOOK FOR ME. I MEAN, I HAD A BEST GUY FRIEND FOR YEARS AND I WOULD LOVE TO STILL CHIT CHAT WITH HIM, BUT I GOT MARRIED AND HE GOT MARRIED AND SO THAT'S THAT. AS I THINK IT SHOULD BE. SO I JUST DIDN'T AGREE WITH THE PREMISE. IT WAS GREAT WRITING, AND VERY FUNNY, AND VERY PLAUSIBLE... I JUST DIDN'T LOVE IT. 3.5 STARS.

2009 Books

2011-06-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

I read 50 books in 2009. I read mostly fiction and I really got into the Y.A. genre this year. i read mostly for pleasure. Occasionally I need something spiritual or educational, but for the most part, I read just to keep my mind active and because I love to lose myself in a story and make friends with new characters. I did read some duds in 2009, but that's to be expected. Not every book out there is amazing. However, there were a few really fantastic reads that were my favorites from the year and that I would recommend to just about anyone. My favorites are BOLDED. (PS: They're listed in order backward of when I read them because that's how I logged them on my blog and I'm too lazy to move them all around, so scroll to the bottom and start reading at 1).

50. Shadowland
Alyson Noel
I GOT ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH THIS AND STOPPED. I'M JUST NOT LOVING IT AND I HAVE NO PROBLEM GIVING UP A BLAH BOOK FOR SOMETHING BETTER. (TOO MANY GOOD BOOKS IN THE WORLD TO WASTE MY TIME ON SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T GRAB ME). THIS IS THE 3RD ONE IN A SERIES. I REALLY LIKED THE FIRST TWO, BUT THIS ONE WAS FEELING REPETITIOUS AND KINDA DUMB. BE GONE!

49. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
E. Lockhart
I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY CUTE! A QUICK, FUN READ WITH A VERY RELATABLE CHARACTER. I DIDN'T ADORE IT AS MUCH AS I THOUGHT I WOULD, BUT I'M GLAD I FINALLY READ IT.

48. Fire
Kristin Cashore
I THOUGHT I WOULDN'T LIKE IT BECAUSE I WAS SO ATTACHED TO "GRACELING" AND THIS WAS THE SAME AUTHOR AND GENRE, BUT DIFFERENT CHARACTERS. (TECHNICALLY IT'S A PREQUEL TO GRACELING, BUT THERE'S NOT MUCH CROSSOVER BETWEEN THE BOOKS). BUT, I TOTALLY LOVED IT! IT FELT A LOT LIKE GRACELING TO ME, WITH A LITTLE MORE CLOSURE AT THE END. IT'S A FANTASY-TYPE WORLD, BUT WELL THOUGHT-OUT AND THERE WAS SO MUCH LOVE AND HUMANITY IN THE CHARACTERS... IT JUST SUCKED ME RIGHT IN. IF YOU'RE INTO Y.A. FICTION, THIS IS A WINNER!

47. Splendor (Luxe book #4)
Anna Godbersen
I FELT LIKE THE ENDING WAS RUSHED. I EXPECTED MORE OF A HAPPILY EVER AFTER THING SO I WAS SORT OF DISAPPOINTED. I JUST WANTED EVERYTHING TO TIE UP IN A NICE LITTLE PACKAGE LIKE ONE OF THEIR PRETTY DRESSES... I DIDN'T BUY THE ENDING. BUMMER.

46. Outlander
Diana Gabaldon
SWOON. SA-WOON! I AM IN LOVE. THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR EVERYONE... A LITTLE "MATURE" IN SOME PLACES, BUT OH HOW I LOVE JAMIE FRASER! SERIOUSLY, LOVE. I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE REST OF THE SERIES...

45. The Girlfriends' Guide to Toddlers
Vicki Iovine
IT WAS A CUTE, FUNNY READ. I STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH THE ODD LITTLE 2-YEAR OLD INHABITING MY HOUSE, BUT IT'S NICE TO KNOW THAT NO ONE ELSE REALLY DOES EITHER.

44. Silent in the Grave
Deanna Raybourn
IT WAS GOOD. I DIDN'T REALLY LOVE ANY OF THE CHARACTERS, BUT EVERY CHAPTER ENDED WITH A CLIFF-HANGER SO I JUST HAD TO KEEP READING. I PROBABLY WON'T READ ANYMORE IN THE SERIES, THOUGH.

43. Twenties Girl
Sophie Kinsella
SO VERY CUTE!!! I LOVED IT! I LOVE THE 20'S ERA AND IT WAS SO FUN TO READ ABOUT THE CLOTHES AND PARTIES. PLUS, THE MAIN CHARACTER IS QUIRKY AND FUNNY AND I TOTALLY LIKED HER. A CUTE, FUN, CLEAN, GIRLIE READ!

42. The Lost Symbol
Dan Brown
I REALLY LIKED IT. IT'S DIFFERENT, BUT THE HISTORY AND SYMBOLISM ARE SO INTERESTING. AND I LIKED THE WHOLE PREMISE.... IT'S WORTH READING.

41. Catching Fire
Suzanne Collins
THIS IS THE SEQUEL TO 'THE HUNGER GAMES' AND IT WAS JUST AS GOOD AS THE FIRST ONE. IT SERIOUSLY BLEW ME AWAY! I'M DYING FOR THE FINAL INSTALLMENT!

40. Tears of Pearl
Tasha Alexander
I JUST LOVE EMILY ASHTON! I COULD SO BE FRIENDS WITH HER. IF YOU WANT A CUTE, CLEAN, ENTERTAINING LITTLE SERIES, READ THESE.

39. The Red Tent
Anita Diamant
WEIRD AND DIFFERENT BUT I REALLY LIKED IT! NOT A BOOK FOR EVERYONE, BUT WORTH MY TIME FOR SURE. A VERY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON THE BIBLE AND THE WOMEN OF THAT TIME.

38. Savvy
Ingrid Law
VERY CREATIVE...A DIFFERENT KIND OF STORY WITH INTERESTING CHARACTERS AND FUNNY, POETIC WRITING. I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY CUTE!

37. A Wrinkle in Time
Madeleine L'Engle
I'D ALWAYS WANTED TO READ THIS ONE, AND I'M GLAD I DID. IT WAS INTERESTING AND WEIRD AND I REALLY LIKED IT. ONE OF THE BEST EXPLANATIONS OF THE NEED FOR AGENCY THAT I'VE EVER HEARD.

36. Sarah's Key
Tatiana de Rosnay
I LIKED IT. VERY SAD, BUT A GOOD STORY. I LOVE WWII HISTORY, SO IT WAS RIGHT UP MY ALLY. I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS AS FANTASTIC AS IT WAS MADE OUT TO BE, THOUGH. I THINK I'M A TOUGH CRITIC.

35. The Noticer
Andy Andrews
I REALLY LIKED IT. JUST A CUTE, SIMPLE SELF-HELP TYPE BOOK. GOOD INFO THAT I NEEDED TO BE REMINDED OF.

34. The Sweet Far Thing
Libba Bray
DIDN'T HATE IT ENOUGH TO STOP READING IT, BUT THE MORE I THINK ABOUT IT, THE MORE STUPID I THOUGHT IT WAS. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME WITH THIS SERIES.
33. Rebel Angels
Libba Bray
GOOD. FINE. GONNA FINISH THE TRILOGY...

32. A Great and Terrible Beauty
Libba Bray
I ENJOYED IT... BUT IT'S NOT FOR EVERYONE. A LITTLE CONFUSING, I THOUGHT, AND MOVED A LITTLE SLOW. BUT I'M INTERESTED ENOUGH TO GIVE #2 A TRY...

31. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Mary Ann Shaffer
CHARMING. ADORABLE. WONDERFUL. HEART-WRENCHING. HILARIOUS. WARM. PERFECT. I WISH I HAD WRITTEN IT. EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!!! I ABSOLUTELY ADORED IT. IT'S WRITTEN IN LETTER FORM AND I KNOW THAT THROWS A LOT OF PEOPLE OFF, BUT ONCE YOU GET 20 PAGES INTO IT AND YOU'VE FIGURED OUT WHO ALL THE CHARACTERS ARE, IT JUST STARTS TO BE COMPLETELY DELIGHTFUL AND ONCE YOU TURN THE LAST PAGE, YOU'LL FEEL LIKE YOU'VE SAID GOODBYE TO YOUR BEST FRIENDS.

30. Blue Moon
Alyson Noel
I LOVED IT! OF COURSE, NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE THIRD ONE AND I HATE THAT! VERY GOOD SERIES, THOUGH.

29. Evermore
Alyson Noel
I READ IT A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, BUT THE SEQUEL JUST CAME OUT AND I WANTED TO READ IT, BUT I COULDN'T REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED. I ACTUALLY LIKED IT EVEN MORE THIS TIME. IF YOU LIKE TWILIGHT, YOU 'LL LIKE THESE BOOKS.

28. Thirteen Reasons Why
Jay Asher
A CREATIVE STORY LINE... SERIOUS, SORT OF DEPRESSING, INTERESTING. KIND OF DUMB ACTUALLY. YEAH, I DIDN'T LIKE IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL THE HYPE IT GOT.

27. Envy: A Luxe Novel
Anna Godbersen
LOVED IT! GREAT SERIES. GOOD ENDING. CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE!

26. Rumors: A Luxe Novel
Anna Godbersen
IT WAS GOOD. I LIKED THE ROMANCE, BUT THE ENDING WAS SOOOOO SAD!

25. The Luxe
Anna Godbersen
I REALLY LIKED IT! GREAT CHARACTERS, GREAT CLOTHES... KEPT ME INTERESTED. A FUN LITTLE ESCAPE! VERY CUTE SERIES.

24. The Goose Girl
Shannon Hale
I REALLY LIKED IT!!! IT WAS CUTE AND DIFFERENT AND ENGAGING... I HAD A HARD TIME PUTTING IT DOWN, WHICH IS ALWAYS A GOOD SIGN. THE GIRL WAS A LITTLE WEAK FOR ME AT FIRST, BUT BY THE END, I WAS A FAN.

23. City of Glass
Cassandra Clare
I LOVED IT!!! I'M SO SAD IT'S OVER. THIS SERIES JUST GOT BETTER AND BETTER. TOTALLY WORTH READING. I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!

22. City of Ashes
Cassandra Clare
OK, I GOT SO ADDICTED TO THIS ONE, I STAYED UP ALL NIGHT READING IT! EDWARD WHO? I LOVE JACE! :)

21. Austenland
Shannon Hale
I'M NOT A JANE AUSTEN FAN (GASP!), BUT IT WAS VERY CUTE. I REALLY ENJOYED IT. I WISH I COULD GO HANG OUT IN SOME OF MY FAVORITE ERAS.

20. The Mother in Me
Kathryn Soper
VERY GOOD. ALMOST MADE ME WANT ANOTHER BABY... ALMOST. :)

19. In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
VERY, VERY GOOD. SHE'S SO RIGHT-ON! I WISH PEOPLE WOULD LISTEN!!!

18. The Hourglass Door
Lisa Mangum
NOT AS GREAT AS IT CLAIMED TO BE. I LOVE TIME TRAVEL AND ROMANCE, BUT THIS WAS A LITTLE CONFUSING FOR ME. IT KINDA FELL FLAT. NOT TO MENTION IT'S PART OF A SERIES...AND #2 DOESN'T COME OUT FOR ANOTHER YEAR. I DON'T THINK I'LL BOTHER.

17. Hunted: House of Night book #5
P.C. Cast
SO, THIS SERIES STARTED OUT GREAT, BUT NOW IT IS GETTING DUMB. AND I SWEAR EVERY BOOK JUST RECAPS WHAT HAPPENS IN THE LAST ONE... THE STORY SEEMS TO HAVE STOPPED MOVING FORWARD. I THINK I'M DONE.

16. Untamed: House of Night book #4
P.C. Cast
SERIOUSLY GIRL, STOP FALLING IN LOVE WITH EVERY MALE YOU MEET. :) THIS IS GETTING A LITTLE OLD...

15. It Sucked and Then I Cried
Heather Armstrong
I ENJOYED IT. IT'S NICE TO KNOW THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO FREAKED OUT WHEN I HAD A BABY. :) AND I SO ENJOY HER WRITING STYLE.

14. Chosen: House of Night book #3
P.C. Cast
I NEED SOME RESOLUTION HERE!

13. City of Bones
Cassandra Clare
I LIKED IT, BUT FOR SOME REASON I NEVER GOT "HOOKED." I'LL GIVE #2 A TRY...

12. I Am a Mother
Jane Clayson Johnson
I LOVE THIS BOOK! I'VE READ IT THREE TIMES NOW, BUT IT'S A GREAT LITTLE BOOK TO SKIM THROUGH WHEN I NEED A BOOST. ALL MOM'S SHOULD HAVE A COPY! :)

11. Betrayed: House of Night book #2
P.C. Cast
COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN! TOTALLY LOVING THIS SERIES!

10. Marked: House of Night book #1
P.C. Cast
TOTALLY ADDICTIVE. MAYBE A TAD RISQUE, BUT ANOTHER GREAT VAMPIRE READ NONETHELESS. :)

9. Rebecca
Daphne Du Maurier
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS ON THE PLANET. I'VE READ IT A ZILLION TIMES AND I SWEAR I LIKE IT MORE EVERY TIME. I SERIOUSLY LAY IN BED AT NIGHT AND PRETEND I'M AT MANDERLEY, MINUS MRS. DANVERS, OF COURSE.

8. Evermore
Alyson Noel
LOVED IT! CAN'T WAIT FOR #2!

7. Wintergirls
Laurie Halse Anderson
INCREDIBLE CREATIVE WRITING!!! BUT SAD STORY LINE. I CAN SEE WHY IT GOT THE HYPE IT GOT. I'M GLAD I READ IT.

6. The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
I LOVED IT!!! SO DIFFERENT AND TOTALLY THRILLING. YOU MUST READ THIS! INSANE, CAPTIVATING, FREAKISHLY GOOD. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ONCE YOU START IT BECAUSE YOU'LL REFUSE TO PUT IT DOWN. IT'S SERIOUSLY THAT GOOD.

5. Desecration (A Left Behind novel)
Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins
GOOD. I'M SORTA LOSING INTEREST IN THIS SERIES THOUGH. IT'S GETTING A LITTLE TOO CORNY. LOVED THE FIRST FEW, THOUGH.

4. Ten Cents a Dance
Christine Fletcher
I DIDN'T LOVE IT. SUPER INTERESTING CHARACTERS AND GREAT HISTORY... I LIKED IT, BUT I WOULDN'T REALLY RECOMMEND IT.

3. The Graceling
Kristin Cashore
I LOVED IT!!! KATSA'S CHARACTER IS SO AWESOME! I HATED THE ENDING-- IT WAS JUST TOO UNFINISHED FOR ME, BUT I LOVED THE REST OF THE BOOK SO MUCH THAT I DIDN'T REALLY CARE. EVEN THOUGH IT'S ONLY JANUARY, I CAN SAY THAT THIS WILL BE ONE OF MY FAVORITES FROM THIS YEAR.

2. The Good Earth
Pearl S. Buck
I READ IT FOR BOOK CLUB. I ALWAYS SEE IT ON THOSE "100 BOOKS TO READ BEFORE YOU DIE LISTS" AND I'VE ALWAYS WONDERED WHAT THE HYPE WAS ABOUT. I WOULD NOT HAVE MISSED ANYTHING IF I DIED WITHOUT READING THIS. I DID NOT LIKE IT AT ALL!

1. The Associate
John Grisham
I HATED THE ENDING! IT TOTALLY RUINED THE BOOK FOR ME. THEY KEPT COMPARING THIS BOOK TO "THE FIRM" AND IT DID NOT DESERVE THAT AT ALL. THE FIRM HAD ME BITING MY NAILS AND SWEATING BY THE END. THIS ONE WAS A LET DOWN. DON'T BOTHER.