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62. Name Withheld - J.A. Jance
63. Promises in Death - J.D. Robb
64. The Royal Treatment - MaryJanice Davidson
65. StrengthsFinder 2.0 - Tom Rath
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Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Latest Reads
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8. Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu
A simple book, one I've been intrigued by since reading A Million Little Pieces. It wasn't life-altering or anything, but I did find some of the passages meaningful. I think the beauty of this work is that everyone who reads it can find something of meaning, and will likely finish with their own unique take on the material.
9. Fluke - Christopher Moore
I really enjoy Moore's books. They're really well-written, funny and bizzare. He and Carl Hiaasen may well be my two favorite fiction writers ...
10. The Courage To Be Single Mother - Sheila Ellison
Very cool book - I'd recommend to all single moms.
11. Dust to Dust - Tami Hoag
Good crime novel. I like J.D. Robb better, but I like Hoag more than I like Patterson or Cromwell.
12. How to Parent With Your Ex - Brette McWhorter Sembler
More of a pre-divorce primer than an after-the-fact book, especially if you are maintaining a somewhat amicable or better relationship with the ex and you can conduct yourselves like civil grownups where the kid(s) are concerned.
13. We Thought You Would Be Prettier - Laurie Notaro
Eh. I'm kind of over her stuff ...
14. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao - Junot Diaz
Original and (mostly) fun to read, but kind of difficult to read, too. Difficult in the sense of what happens to the characters, fun in the sense of the writing style, the language shifts and the narrative voice.
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8. Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu
A simple book, one I've been intrigued by since reading A Million Little Pieces. It wasn't life-altering or anything, but I did find some of the passages meaningful. I think the beauty of this work is that everyone who reads it can find something of meaning, and will likely finish with their own unique take on the material.
9. Fluke - Christopher Moore
I really enjoy Moore's books. They're really well-written, funny and bizzare. He and Carl Hiaasen may well be my two favorite fiction writers ...
10. The Courage To Be Single Mother - Sheila Ellison
Very cool book - I'd recommend to all single moms.
11. Dust to Dust - Tami Hoag
Good crime novel. I like J.D. Robb better, but I like Hoag more than I like Patterson or Cromwell.
12. How to Parent With Your Ex - Brette McWhorter Sembler
More of a pre-divorce primer than an after-the-fact book, especially if you are maintaining a somewhat amicable or better relationship with the ex and you can conduct yourselves like civil grownups where the kid(s) are concerned.
13. We Thought You Would Be Prettier - Laurie Notaro
Eh. I'm kind of over her stuff ...
14. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao - Junot Diaz
Original and (mostly) fun to read, but kind of difficult to read, too. Difficult in the sense of what happens to the characters, fun in the sense of the writing style, the language shifts and the narrative voice.
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
Latest Reads
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There seems to be a bit of a self-improvement angle to most of my latest reads. And that's cool. Never hurts to improve oneself, even when you're Practically Perfect in Every Way.
3. What I Know Now: Letters to my Younger Self - Ellyn Spragins
4. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
5. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
6. Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl
7. Who Moved My Cheese? - Spencer Johnson, M.D.
Breaking Dawn was good, but a bit too clean and neat an ending. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the book, as I did the other three in the Twilight series. Total easy reading, total fluff, but enjoyable, suck-you-in fluff.
The Great Gatsby took a little getting into, but I have to say I really enjoyed it. I can't believe that I had never read it before.
What I Know Now was a collection of letters that famous written would write to their younger selves. I found Camryn Manheim's letter to be the most applicable for me, and the most impressive, but I also jotted down words from Barbara Boxer, Olympia Dukakis, Macy Gray, Jane Kaczmarek and Nora Roberts.
Man's Search for Meaning. Read this book. Do it. The first half is about the author's time in concentration camps during WWII, but it's peppered with so much wisdom and perspective that it's mind-changing. The second half is about his approach to psychotherapy, which he called logotherapy (logos is Greek for meaning). Logotherapy "considers man as a being whose main concern consists in fulfilling a meaning and actualizing values, rather than (as psychotherapy does) in the mere gratification and satisfaction of drives and instincts."
Frankl believes that suffering is noble and has meaning in and of itself. That the meaning of life is found within the world, not within the individual, that man needs tension and disequilibrium to motivate him toward a goal and that "... each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible."
There was so much in this book that I found myself nodding about and recognizing in myself and in my own core beliefs, yet there was still more that I found myself realizing I *don't* achieve or recognize.
Who Moved my Cheese? is a small, quick-reading book that hopes to change how we look at and feel about change. Cheese is used as a metaphor for what each of us wants out of life, and the Maze that the Cheese is found in represents where we spend our time looking for the Cheese. Change happens, it's how we react to the change that determines whether we stay in one place waiting for our Old Cheese to come back or whether we venture back into the Maze to find New Cheese.
It's perfect for me at this juncture because I've had a lot of change over the past year, and I have a lot more coming. There's a phrase from the book: "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" that I need to incorporate as a daily mantra. I usually embrace and am inspired by change, but the big change coming - my returning to work outside the home and putting my kids in full-time care - scares the heck out of me!
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There seems to be a bit of a self-improvement angle to most of my latest reads. And that's cool. Never hurts to improve oneself, even when you're Practically Perfect in Every Way.
3. What I Know Now: Letters to my Younger Self - Ellyn Spragins
4. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
5. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
6. Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl
7. Who Moved My Cheese? - Spencer Johnson, M.D.
Breaking Dawn was good, but a bit too clean and neat an ending. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the book, as I did the other three in the Twilight series. Total easy reading, total fluff, but enjoyable, suck-you-in fluff.
The Great Gatsby took a little getting into, but I have to say I really enjoyed it. I can't believe that I had never read it before.
What I Know Now was a collection of letters that famous written would write to their younger selves. I found Camryn Manheim's letter to be the most applicable for me, and the most impressive, but I also jotted down words from Barbara Boxer, Olympia Dukakis, Macy Gray, Jane Kaczmarek and Nora Roberts.
Man's Search for Meaning. Read this book. Do it. The first half is about the author's time in concentration camps during WWII, but it's peppered with so much wisdom and perspective that it's mind-changing. The second half is about his approach to psychotherapy, which he called logotherapy (logos is Greek for meaning). Logotherapy "considers man as a being whose main concern consists in fulfilling a meaning and actualizing values, rather than (as psychotherapy does) in the mere gratification and satisfaction of drives and instincts."
Frankl believes that suffering is noble and has meaning in and of itself. That the meaning of life is found within the world, not within the individual, that man needs tension and disequilibrium to motivate him toward a goal and that "... each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible."
There was so much in this book that I found myself nodding about and recognizing in myself and in my own core beliefs, yet there was still more that I found myself realizing I *don't* achieve or recognize.
Who Moved my Cheese? is a small, quick-reading book that hopes to change how we look at and feel about change. Cheese is used as a metaphor for what each of us wants out of life, and the Maze that the Cheese is found in represents where we spend our time looking for the Cheese. Change happens, it's how we react to the change that determines whether we stay in one place waiting for our Old Cheese to come back or whether we venture back into the Maze to find New Cheese.
It's perfect for me at this juncture because I've had a lot of change over the past year, and I have a lot more coming. There's a phrase from the book: "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" that I need to incorporate as a daily mantra. I usually embrace and am inspired by change, but the big change coming - my returning to work outside the home and putting my kids in full-time care - scares the heck out of me!
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Monday, January 5, 2009
Hello 2009
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Staring 2009 off with a bang are two books by Christopher Moore, who may be my new favorite author. His writing is fast-paced and funny, his turns of phrase downright hysterical and his books are like standing ankle-deep in the shallow end of the crazy pool. Carl Hiaasen (one of my other favorite authors) loves Moore, and I do too. With lines like: "In order to hold off the Forces of Darkness, you will need a number two pencil and a calendar, preferably one without pictures of kitties on it." How can you go wrong?
1. Practical Demonkeeping
2. A Dirty Job
Stay tuned for more of Moore, and here's to another 100+ books in 2009
Staring 2009 off with a bang are two books by Christopher Moore, who may be my new favorite author. His writing is fast-paced and funny, his turns of phrase downright hysterical and his books are like standing ankle-deep in the shallow end of the crazy pool. Carl Hiaasen (one of my other favorite authors) loves Moore, and I do too. With lines like: "In order to hold off the Forces of Darkness, you will need a number two pencil and a calendar, preferably one without pictures of kitties on it." How can you go wrong?
1. Practical Demonkeeping
2. A Dirty Job
Stay tuned for more of Moore, and here's to another 100+ books in 2009
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Latest Reads
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108. Beloved - Toni Morrison
An amazing book. It took a little getting into, but I'm so glad I pushed myself past the first chapter or two.
109. Cross Bones - Kathy Reichs
Her spin on a DaVinci Code-type book. A good read.
110. An Open Heart - The Dalai Lama
Just a very cool book about Buddhist meditation and philosophy.
111. There's a (Slight) Chance I Might Be Going to Hell - Lauri Notaro
Yeah, she's funny. But she's not the next Carl Hiaasen, which is what her attempt at a novel reaches for. She should stick to column-writing.
112. Snow Falling on Cedars - David Guterson
I feel like the emperor in "Amadeus", but there are simply too many notes. This was a good book, but just *too* narrative.
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108. Beloved - Toni Morrison
An amazing book. It took a little getting into, but I'm so glad I pushed myself past the first chapter or two.
109. Cross Bones - Kathy Reichs
Her spin on a DaVinci Code-type book. A good read.
110. An Open Heart - The Dalai Lama
Just a very cool book about Buddhist meditation and philosophy.
111. There's a (Slight) Chance I Might Be Going to Hell - Lauri Notaro
Yeah, she's funny. But she's not the next Carl Hiaasen, which is what her attempt at a novel reaches for. She should stick to column-writing.
112. Snow Falling on Cedars - David Guterson
I feel like the emperor in "Amadeus", but there are simply too many notes. This was a good book, but just *too* narrative.
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Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Two to go
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95. Nights in Rodanthe - Nicholas Sparks
I just don't really dig his stuff. I've read two of his books now (this and The Notebook) and the style is just too sappy and too melodramatic for me.
96. Running with Scissors - Augusten Burroughs
A disturbing memoir, but darkly funny. If you think your childhood was rough, read this.
97. The Devil in the White City - Erik Larson
A compelling true account of a serial killer and the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Fascinating history of the Fair, and of a killer's machinations.
98. Confessions of a Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella
Entertaining light reading.
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95. Nights in Rodanthe - Nicholas Sparks
I just don't really dig his stuff. I've read two of his books now (this and The Notebook) and the style is just too sappy and too melodramatic for me.
96. Running with Scissors - Augusten Burroughs
A disturbing memoir, but darkly funny. If you think your childhood was rough, read this.
97. The Devil in the White City - Erik Larson
A compelling true account of a serial killer and the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Fascinating history of the Fair, and of a killer's machinations.
98. Confessions of a Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella
Entertaining light reading.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Books 91 through 94
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91. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers
A good book, but not a great one. In a way, I finished it just to finish it. It started out very compelling, but as the pages slid by, kind of became tedious.
92. Positive Discipline - Jane Nelsen
A awesome book about parenting and "discipline". I read it to help underscore what I took from "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk", and ended up writing a few key phrases from this book down to post in my kitchen. I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels the punitive - or corporal - punishment is NOT the way to go.
93. Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
Loved this book. A great story, with wonderful detail and rich characters. One of those "I can't put it down, so I am tearing through it, but I'm going to be so sad when I actually finish it" books.
94. Autobiography of a Fat Bride - Lauri Notaro
Love her sense of humor and writing style. She and David Sedaris are my heroes :)
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91. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers
A good book, but not a great one. In a way, I finished it just to finish it. It started out very compelling, but as the pages slid by, kind of became tedious.
92. Positive Discipline - Jane Nelsen
A awesome book about parenting and "discipline". I read it to help underscore what I took from "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk", and ended up writing a few key phrases from this book down to post in my kitchen. I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels the punitive - or corporal - punishment is NOT the way to go.
93. Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
Loved this book. A great story, with wonderful detail and rich characters. One of those "I can't put it down, so I am tearing through it, but I'm going to be so sad when I actually finish it" books.
94. Autobiography of a Fat Bride - Lauri Notaro
Love her sense of humor and writing style. She and David Sedaris are my heroes :)
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Thursday, October 9, 2008
And then there were 10
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89. A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini
As much as I enjoyed The Kite Runner, I enjoyed this book more. It was just meatier, and had a lot more to grab and keep my interest.
I've started to grow very preoccupied with Afghanistan and it's past, present and future. The zeal of the religious extremists there (and, frankly, everywhere) is overwhelming in both factual and fictionalized accounts of life there, and it makes me believe two things: one, the zealotry must end for the average Afghani, and especially for Afghan women, to have any hope at a good life; and two, the United States is going about our "war" on terror in a very wrong way.
Personal preoccupation aside, this book presents a compelling and heart-wrenching story, told with rich detail and a sympathetic voice.
90. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
The prelude to this book promises "a story that will make you believe in God." Perhaps it's my own atheism that muted the story's ability to make a believer out of me, but regardless, I found the story a thoroughly enjoyable fable.
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89. A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini
As much as I enjoyed The Kite Runner, I enjoyed this book more. It was just meatier, and had a lot more to grab and keep my interest.
I've started to grow very preoccupied with Afghanistan and it's past, present and future. The zeal of the religious extremists there (and, frankly, everywhere) is overwhelming in both factual and fictionalized accounts of life there, and it makes me believe two things: one, the zealotry must end for the average Afghani, and especially for Afghan women, to have any hope at a good life; and two, the United States is going about our "war" on terror in a very wrong way.
Personal preoccupation aside, this book presents a compelling and heart-wrenching story, told with rich detail and a sympathetic voice.
90. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
The prelude to this book promises "a story that will make you believe in God." Perhaps it's my own atheism that muted the story's ability to make a believer out of me, but regardless, I found the story a thoroughly enjoyable fable.
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Friday, September 19, 2008
Books 78-81
78. Charlie Wilson's War - George Crile
If I were rating my reads, this would get 6 out of 5 stars.
I loved this book. A review quoted on the cover says "Reads like a best-selling novel ..." and I couldn't agree more. But it's not a fictional novel, it's an unbelievable but true story of how the Afghan war went from a poorly funded and little known covert CIA battle to the massively funded (but still not truly overt) final battle of the Cold War.
Read. This. Book. It's not a fast read, but it is an amazingly rewarding one.
79. Bones to Ashes - Kathy Reichs
Hallelujah - The end of this one didn't find Tempe in the grasp of the bad guys!
80. Drowning Ruth - Christina Schwartz
Well-written, believable characters and an interesting story line. Once I was into this book, I couldn't put it down. I did find the author's writing style a bit ... disjointed, maybe? It was a bit awkward at times, but still a good read.
81. Go Ask Alice - Anonymous
The (allegedly - some controversy surrounds this) true story of a young girl's journey into drug use, Go Ask Alice is one of those 'must read' books I somehow never read. It's heartbreaking and hopeful, and unflinchingly accurate. A haunting book, one I tore through in about an hour. I enjoyed it even more knowing that Sarah Palin sought to have it removed from Alaska's school libraries.
If I were rating my reads, this would get 6 out of 5 stars.
I loved this book. A review quoted on the cover says "Reads like a best-selling novel ..." and I couldn't agree more. But it's not a fictional novel, it's an unbelievable but true story of how the Afghan war went from a poorly funded and little known covert CIA battle to the massively funded (but still not truly overt) final battle of the Cold War.
Read. This. Book. It's not a fast read, but it is an amazingly rewarding one.
79. Bones to Ashes - Kathy Reichs
Hallelujah - The end of this one didn't find Tempe in the grasp of the bad guys!
80. Drowning Ruth - Christina Schwartz
Well-written, believable characters and an interesting story line. Once I was into this book, I couldn't put it down. I did find the author's writing style a bit ... disjointed, maybe? It was a bit awkward at times, but still a good read.
81. Go Ask Alice - Anonymous
The (allegedly - some controversy surrounds this) true story of a young girl's journey into drug use, Go Ask Alice is one of those 'must read' books I somehow never read. It's heartbreaking and hopeful, and unflinchingly accurate. A haunting book, one I tore through in about an hour. I enjoyed it even more knowing that Sarah Palin sought to have it removed from Alaska's school libraries.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Latest Reads
I've been slacking on updating.
76. Strip Tease - Carl Hiaasen
Another great book, but I miss the Governor and Jim Tile. But at least it had Al Garcia.
77. Death du Jour - Kathy Reichs
I love Reichs' books, even if they make something inside of me recoil in horror.
Since I complain about Nora Roberts' books being 'formulaic', it's only fair to make a similar comment about Reichs' novels. Without fail, the heroine comes face to face with the criminal, (this is only a spoiler if you've not read *any* of her books - if you've read one, you know that the build up and the situation are varied enough to still surprise you) and finds herself in peril at books' end. But so far, the situations and the crimes have been varied, and horrifying, enough to keep me turning the pages with baited breath.
I've been working on Charlie Wilson's War in between these books. This is a fab book, just awesome - but it's taking me forever to read, because I am so into it I'm cross-referencing things and taking notes. I loved the one international relations class I took in college, and this book brings it all back and then some.
I also read a little over half of The Out-of-Sync Child. I've some suspicions that my older daughter has a few sensory issues, but I read enough of the book to know that, even if she does, she's not having serious issues - they're more like quirks. But it's a fascinating read, and it offers a ton of insight into children who have some degree of sensory processing dissonance, even very mild dissonance like my daughter displays.
76. Strip Tease - Carl Hiaasen
Another great book, but I miss the Governor and Jim Tile. But at least it had Al Garcia.
77. Death du Jour - Kathy Reichs
I love Reichs' books, even if they make something inside of me recoil in horror.
Since I complain about Nora Roberts' books being 'formulaic', it's only fair to make a similar comment about Reichs' novels. Without fail, the heroine comes face to face with the criminal, (this is only a spoiler if you've not read *any* of her books - if you've read one, you know that the build up and the situation are varied enough to still surprise you) and finds herself in peril at books' end. But so far, the situations and the crimes have been varied, and horrifying, enough to keep me turning the pages with baited breath.
I've been working on Charlie Wilson's War in between these books. This is a fab book, just awesome - but it's taking me forever to read, because I am so into it I'm cross-referencing things and taking notes. I loved the one international relations class I took in college, and this book brings it all back and then some.
I also read a little over half of The Out-of-Sync Child. I've some suspicions that my older daughter has a few sensory issues, but I read enough of the book to know that, even if she does, she's not having serious issues - they're more like quirks. But it's a fascinating read, and it offers a ton of insight into children who have some degree of sensory processing dissonance, even very mild dissonance like my daughter displays.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Book #75
Drum roll, please ...
Book #75 is The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver.
Awesome, AWESOME book.
A tale of a Baptist preacher who takes his family into the Congo in 1959. (I absolutely hate the concept of missionary work - hate it. It's arrogance, narcissism and condescension in their highest forms.) The book traces their arrival, struggles and tragedies over the years - first as missionaries, then in their lives as they move on - some out of Africa, some still within.
What stays with me most of all is the (recent) history of the Congo/Zaire, the politics and the devastation of a once vital population by Europeans and Americans. I've developed a respect and admiration for the continent as a whole, and the people, that I never would have had without Kingsolver's novel. Like "A Long Way Gone", I think this of this book as required reading, especially for those who are ignorant of Africa's struggles.
1. The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman
2. The Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman
3. The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman
4. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
5. Innocent in Death - J.D. Robb
6. Seven Up - Janet Evanovich
7. Hard Eight - Janet Evanovich
8. Unconditional Parenting - Alfie Kohn
9. To the Nines - Janet Evanovich
10. Tourist Season - Carl Hiaasen
11. The Secret Life of Bees - Sun Monk Kidd
12. Crazy Time: Surviving Divorce and Building a New Life - Abigail Trafford
13. Ten Big Ones - Janet Evanovich
14. Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K. Hamilton
15. The Ruby in the Smoke - Philip Pullman
16. Double Whammy - Carl Hiaasen
17. The Accidental Tourist - Anne Tyler
18. Blood Brothers - Nora Roberts
19. Eleven on Top - Janet Evanovich
20. The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing - Melissa Bank
21. Zlata's Diary - Zlata Filipovic
22. The Reading Group - Elizabeth Noble
23. Heartburn - Nora Ephron
24. The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
25. Twelve Sharp - Janet Evanovich
26. Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Kaysen
27. Lean, Mean Thirteen - Janet Evanovich
28. Plum Lovin' - Janet Evanovich
29. The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time - Mark Haddon
30. Skinny Dip - Carl Hiaasen
31. Metro Girl - Janet Evanovich
32. Native Tongue - Carl Hiaasen
33. Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer
34. Morrigan's Cross - Nora Roberts
35. Dance of the Gods - Nora Roberts
36. Valley of Silence - Nora Roberts
37. Strangers in Death - JD Robb
38. The Mermaid Chair - Sue Monk Kidd
39. Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris
40. The Laughing Corpse - Laurell K. Hamilton
41. Flush - Carl Hiaasen
42. The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks
43. Bare Bones - Kathy Reichs
44. Sick Puppy - Carl Hiaasen
45. Plum Lucky - Janet Evanovich
46. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim - David Sedaris
47. Lucky You - Carl Hiaasen
48. Stormy Weather - Carl Hiaasen
49. Necessary Losses - Judith Viorst
50. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See
51. Holidays on Ice - David Sedaris
52. Blue Dahlia - Nora Roberts
53. Black Rose - Nora Roberts
54. Red Lily - Nora Roberts
55. The Little Book of Letting Go - Hugh Prather
56. Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
57. How to Survive the Loss of a Love - Peter McWilliams, Harold H. Bloomfield, and Melba Colgrove
58. New Moon - Stephanie Meyer
59. Mom's House, Dad's House - Isolina Ricci
60. Naked - David Sedaris
61. The Memory Keeper's Daughter - Kim Edwards
62. The Raw Shark Texts - Steven Hall
63. Wicked Nights - Nina Bangs
64. To Bed a Beauty - Nicole Jordan
65. Key of Light - Nora Roberts
66. Pictures of Hollis Woods - Patricia Reilly Giff
67. Ellen Foster - Kaye Gibbons
68. Key of Knowledge - Nora Roberts
69. Key of Valor - Nora Roberts
70. Auriel Rising - Elizabeth Redfern
71. Break No Bones - Kathy Reichs
72. Open House - Elizabeth Berg
73. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier - Ishmael Beah
74. Kafka's Soup - Mark Crick
75. The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver
Book #75 is The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver.
Awesome, AWESOME book.
A tale of a Baptist preacher who takes his family into the Congo in 1959. (I absolutely hate the concept of missionary work - hate it. It's arrogance, narcissism and condescension in their highest forms.) The book traces their arrival, struggles and tragedies over the years - first as missionaries, then in their lives as they move on - some out of Africa, some still within.
What stays with me most of all is the (recent) history of the Congo/Zaire, the politics and the devastation of a once vital population by Europeans and Americans. I've developed a respect and admiration for the continent as a whole, and the people, that I never would have had without Kingsolver's novel. Like "A Long Way Gone", I think this of this book as required reading, especially for those who are ignorant of Africa's struggles.
1. The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman
2. The Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman
3. The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman
4. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
5. Innocent in Death - J.D. Robb
6. Seven Up - Janet Evanovich
7. Hard Eight - Janet Evanovich
8. Unconditional Parenting - Alfie Kohn
9. To the Nines - Janet Evanovich
10. Tourist Season - Carl Hiaasen
11. The Secret Life of Bees - Sun Monk Kidd
12. Crazy Time: Surviving Divorce and Building a New Life - Abigail Trafford
13. Ten Big Ones - Janet Evanovich
14. Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K. Hamilton
15. The Ruby in the Smoke - Philip Pullman
16. Double Whammy - Carl Hiaasen
17. The Accidental Tourist - Anne Tyler
18. Blood Brothers - Nora Roberts
19. Eleven on Top - Janet Evanovich
20. The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing - Melissa Bank
21. Zlata's Diary - Zlata Filipovic
22. The Reading Group - Elizabeth Noble
23. Heartburn - Nora Ephron
24. The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
25. Twelve Sharp - Janet Evanovich
26. Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Kaysen
27. Lean, Mean Thirteen - Janet Evanovich
28. Plum Lovin' - Janet Evanovich
29. The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time - Mark Haddon
30. Skinny Dip - Carl Hiaasen
31. Metro Girl - Janet Evanovich
32. Native Tongue - Carl Hiaasen
33. Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer
34. Morrigan's Cross - Nora Roberts
35. Dance of the Gods - Nora Roberts
36. Valley of Silence - Nora Roberts
37. Strangers in Death - JD Robb
38. The Mermaid Chair - Sue Monk Kidd
39. Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris
40. The Laughing Corpse - Laurell K. Hamilton
41. Flush - Carl Hiaasen
42. The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks
43. Bare Bones - Kathy Reichs
44. Sick Puppy - Carl Hiaasen
45. Plum Lucky - Janet Evanovich
46. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim - David Sedaris
47. Lucky You - Carl Hiaasen
48. Stormy Weather - Carl Hiaasen
49. Necessary Losses - Judith Viorst
50. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See
51. Holidays on Ice - David Sedaris
52. Blue Dahlia - Nora Roberts
53. Black Rose - Nora Roberts
54. Red Lily - Nora Roberts
55. The Little Book of Letting Go - Hugh Prather
56. Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
57. How to Survive the Loss of a Love - Peter McWilliams, Harold H. Bloomfield, and Melba Colgrove
58. New Moon - Stephanie Meyer
59. Mom's House, Dad's House - Isolina Ricci
60. Naked - David Sedaris
61. The Memory Keeper's Daughter - Kim Edwards
62. The Raw Shark Texts - Steven Hall
63. Wicked Nights - Nina Bangs
64. To Bed a Beauty - Nicole Jordan
65. Key of Light - Nora Roberts
66. Pictures of Hollis Woods - Patricia Reilly Giff
67. Ellen Foster - Kaye Gibbons
68. Key of Knowledge - Nora Roberts
69. Key of Valor - Nora Roberts
70. Auriel Rising - Elizabeth Redfern
71. Break No Bones - Kathy Reichs
72. Open House - Elizabeth Berg
73. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier - Ishmael Beah
74. Kafka's Soup - Mark Crick
75. The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Open House
72. Open House - Elizabeth Berg
I knew it was a book about divorce when I swapped for it, but man, it's a really accurate book about divorce.
Samantha Morrow is as blindsided by her divorce as I was by mine. The author describes the initial hours/days/weeks with poignant accuracy ... if I hadn't experienced it myself, I'd wonder if it was really that all-consuming and yet surreal.
While I did not go to Tiffany's and indulge in $12K worth of Limoges china, nor did I try to seduce my estranged husband, much of what Samantha felt and did was very familiar. I cheered for her successes, mourned her losses and cringed at some of her mis-steps. And when she, like every other book-about-divorce woman, had the chance to reclaim her previous life - I applauded her choice.
~
1. The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman
2. The Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman
3. The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman
4. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
5. Innocent in Death - J.D. Robb
6. Seven Up - Janet Evanovich
7. Hard Eight - Janet Evanovich
8. Unconditional Parenting - Alfie Kohn
9. To the Nines - Janet Evanovich
10. Tourist Season - Carl Hiaasen
11. The Secret Life of Bees - Sun Monk Kidd
12. Crazy Time: Surviving Divorce and Building a New Life - Abigail Trafford
13. Ten Big Ones - Janet Evanovich
14. Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K. Hamilton
15. The Ruby in the Smoke - Philip Pullman
16. Double Whammy - Carl Hiaasen
17. The Accidental Tourist - Anne Tyler
18. Blood Brothers - Nora Roberts
19. Eleven on Top - Janet Evanovich
20. The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing - Melissa Bank
21. Zlata's Diary - Zlata Filipovic
22. The Reading Group - Elizabeth Noble
23. Heartburn - Nora Ephron
24. The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
25. Twelve Sharp - Janet Evanovich
26. Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Kaysen
27. Lean, Mean Thirteen - Janet Evanovich
28. Plum Lovin' - Janet Evanovich
29. The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time - Mark Haddon
30. Skinny Dip - Carl Hiaasen
31. Metro Girl - Janet Evanovich
32. Native Tongue - Carl Hiaasen
33. Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer
34. Morrigan's Cross - Nora Roberts
35. Dance of the Gods - Nora Roberts
36. Valley of Silence - Nora Roberts
37. Strangers in Death - JD Robb
38. The Mermaid Chair - Sue Monk Kidd
39. Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris
40. The Laughing Corpse - Laurell K. Hamilton
41. Flush - Carl Hiaasen
42. The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks
43. Bare Bones - Kathy Reichs
44. Sick Puppy - Carl Hiaasen
45. Plum Lucky - Janet Evanovich
46. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim - David Sedaris
47. Lucky You - Carl Hiaasen
48. Stormy Weather - Carl Hiaasen
49. Necessary Losses - Judith Viorst
50. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See
51. Holidays on Ice - David Sedaris
52. Blue Dahlia - Nora Roberts
53. Black Rose - Nora Roberts
54. Red Lily - Nora Roberts
55. The Little Book of Letting Go - Hugh Prather
56. Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
57. How to Survive the Loss of a Love - Peter McWilliams, Harold H. Bloomfield, and Melba Colgrove
58. New Moon - Stephanie Meyer
59. Mom's House, Dad's House - Isolina Ricci
60. Naked - David Sedaris
61. The Memory Keeper's Daughter - Kim Edwards
62. The Raw Shark Texts - Steven Hall
63. Wicked Nights - Nina Bangs
64. To Bed a Beauty - Nicole Jordan
65. Key of Light - Nora Roberts
66. Pictures of Hollis Woods - Patricia Reilly Giff
67. Ellen Foster - Kaye Gibbons
68. Key of Knowledge - Nora Roberts
69. Key of Valor - Nora Roberts
70. Auriel Rising - Elizabeth Redfern
71. Break No Bones - Kathy Reichs
72. Open House - Elizabeth Berg
.
I knew it was a book about divorce when I swapped for it, but man, it's a really accurate book about divorce.
Samantha Morrow is as blindsided by her divorce as I was by mine. The author describes the initial hours/days/weeks with poignant accuracy ... if I hadn't experienced it myself, I'd wonder if it was really that all-consuming and yet surreal.
While I did not go to Tiffany's and indulge in $12K worth of Limoges china, nor did I try to seduce my estranged husband, much of what Samantha felt and did was very familiar. I cheered for her successes, mourned her losses and cringed at some of her mis-steps. And when she, like every other book-about-divorce woman, had the chance to reclaim her previous life - I applauded her choice.
~
1. The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman
2. The Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman
3. The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman
4. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
5. Innocent in Death - J.D. Robb
6. Seven Up - Janet Evanovich
7. Hard Eight - Janet Evanovich
8. Unconditional Parenting - Alfie Kohn
9. To the Nines - Janet Evanovich
10. Tourist Season - Carl Hiaasen
11. The Secret Life of Bees - Sun Monk Kidd
12. Crazy Time: Surviving Divorce and Building a New Life - Abigail Trafford
13. Ten Big Ones - Janet Evanovich
14. Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K. Hamilton
15. The Ruby in the Smoke - Philip Pullman
16. Double Whammy - Carl Hiaasen
17. The Accidental Tourist - Anne Tyler
18. Blood Brothers - Nora Roberts
19. Eleven on Top - Janet Evanovich
20. The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing - Melissa Bank
21. Zlata's Diary - Zlata Filipovic
22. The Reading Group - Elizabeth Noble
23. Heartburn - Nora Ephron
24. The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
25. Twelve Sharp - Janet Evanovich
26. Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Kaysen
27. Lean, Mean Thirteen - Janet Evanovich
28. Plum Lovin' - Janet Evanovich
29. The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time - Mark Haddon
30. Skinny Dip - Carl Hiaasen
31. Metro Girl - Janet Evanovich
32. Native Tongue - Carl Hiaasen
33. Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer
34. Morrigan's Cross - Nora Roberts
35. Dance of the Gods - Nora Roberts
36. Valley of Silence - Nora Roberts
37. Strangers in Death - JD Robb
38. The Mermaid Chair - Sue Monk Kidd
39. Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris
40. The Laughing Corpse - Laurell K. Hamilton
41. Flush - Carl Hiaasen
42. The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks
43. Bare Bones - Kathy Reichs
44. Sick Puppy - Carl Hiaasen
45. Plum Lucky - Janet Evanovich
46. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim - David Sedaris
47. Lucky You - Carl Hiaasen
48. Stormy Weather - Carl Hiaasen
49. Necessary Losses - Judith Viorst
50. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See
51. Holidays on Ice - David Sedaris
52. Blue Dahlia - Nora Roberts
53. Black Rose - Nora Roberts
54. Red Lily - Nora Roberts
55. The Little Book of Letting Go - Hugh Prather
56. Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
57. How to Survive the Loss of a Love - Peter McWilliams, Harold H. Bloomfield, and Melba Colgrove
58. New Moon - Stephanie Meyer
59. Mom's House, Dad's House - Isolina Ricci
60. Naked - David Sedaris
61. The Memory Keeper's Daughter - Kim Edwards
62. The Raw Shark Texts - Steven Hall
63. Wicked Nights - Nina Bangs
64. To Bed a Beauty - Nicole Jordan
65. Key of Light - Nora Roberts
66. Pictures of Hollis Woods - Patricia Reilly Giff
67. Ellen Foster - Kaye Gibbons
68. Key of Knowledge - Nora Roberts
69. Key of Valor - Nora Roberts
70. Auriel Rising - Elizabeth Redfern
71. Break No Bones - Kathy Reichs
72. Open House - Elizabeth Berg
.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Break No Bones
71. Break No Bones - Kathy Reichs
I'd sworn off Kathy Reichs after reading her first book, Deja Dead - it was just too damn scary knowing that she based it on real stuff.
At some point in the past couple months, however, I recanted and read Bare Bones, and was thankful I'd not listened too hard to my "no, you'll be scared" voice. Now that I've read Break No Bones, I'm on a Kathy Reichs bandwagon, and hope to get through the other 8 books in the Temperance Brennan series before year's end.
I really enjoy the technical forensic jargon, and the whole idea of forensic anthropology. I also enjoy the character of Brennan, more so as she's written and less as she's portrayed on the TV show Bones. The written Brennan is no 'squint', but is instead a warm and driven woman with amazing empathy for the dead. She's smart, funny and savvy, solving crimes and somehow managing not to get killed by the psycho killer at novel's end.
The fact that Reichs' books have some basis in fact makes them that much more engrossing, and adds a certain level of enjoyment to the capture of the bad guy . It also makes this reader thankful that people like Reichs are so good at what they do.
I'd sworn off Kathy Reichs after reading her first book, Deja Dead - it was just too damn scary knowing that she based it on real stuff.
At some point in the past couple months, however, I recanted and read Bare Bones, and was thankful I'd not listened too hard to my "no, you'll be scared" voice. Now that I've read Break No Bones, I'm on a Kathy Reichs bandwagon, and hope to get through the other 8 books in the Temperance Brennan series before year's end.
I really enjoy the technical forensic jargon, and the whole idea of forensic anthropology. I also enjoy the character of Brennan, more so as she's written and less as she's portrayed on the TV show Bones. The written Brennan is no 'squint', but is instead a warm and driven woman with amazing empathy for the dead. She's smart, funny and savvy, solving crimes and somehow managing not to get killed by the psycho killer at novel's end.
The fact that Reichs' books have some basis in fact makes them that much more engrossing, and adds a certain level of enjoyment to the capture of the bad guy . It also makes this reader thankful that people like Reichs are so good at what they do.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Recent Reads
69. Key of Valor - Nora Roberts
The end of the Key trilogy. Like I said, predictable, and formulaic, but still enjoyable. Knowing how it will play out, overall, didn't really diminish my enjoyment of the series.
70. Auriel Rising - Elizabeth Redfern
A period book, set in the early 1600's - sort of historical fiction, in that the characters were folks like King James and Prince Henry, Sir Walter Raleigh, etc. But they are backdrops to politics and intrigue, as traitors plot to overthrow King James and install Prince Henry, and also to sever the treaty with Spain. Protestants versus Catholics, traitors versus loyalists, criminals and royalty, with sex, love and intrigue as the constant undercurrents.
I didn't think I enjoyed historical fiction, but I was engrossed in this book and had a hard time putting it down.
The end of the Key trilogy. Like I said, predictable, and formulaic, but still enjoyable. Knowing how it will play out, overall, didn't really diminish my enjoyment of the series.
70. Auriel Rising - Elizabeth Redfern
A period book, set in the early 1600's - sort of historical fiction, in that the characters were folks like King James and Prince Henry, Sir Walter Raleigh, etc. But they are backdrops to politics and intrigue, as traitors plot to overthrow King James and install Prince Henry, and also to sever the treaty with Spain. Protestants versus Catholics, traitors versus loyalists, criminals and royalty, with sex, love and intrigue as the constant undercurrents.
I didn't think I enjoyed historical fiction, but I was engrossed in this book and had a hard time putting it down.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Latest Reads
.
62. The Raw Shark Texts - Steven Hall
Kinda mind-blowing. It took a little time and effort to get into this book, and a little more time to wrap my head around the concept behind it, but I was rewarded with a reading experience I've never had before. It will easily fall in my top ten books of the year.
63. Wicked Nights - Nina Bangs
Fluff. Enjoyable and well-written fluff, but after the RST, I wanted light and uncomplicated.
64. To Bed a Beauty - Nicole Jordan
And more fluff. Smutty fluff. My favorite kind.
A nice, easy read. I'm kind of enjoying the fluffy romance books these days - and kind of needing them to help restore my belief in love. I know, it's not like the books. Boy do I know that. But the fairy tale is still nice to believe in now and then :) And what woman doesn't want to fantasize about a fabulously wealthy, super hot man whose only goal in life is to make her life perfect?
65. Key of Light - Nora Roberts
If you guessed there were three friends, and three women drawn together to solve a mystical mystery, and those folks started pairing off, you'd be totally right. She's a great writer, though, and while I know the way this trilogy will play out, I'm still enjoying it. And loving that, at least in Roberts' romances, the men aren't all kajillionaires and they sometimes seem like normal folks.
I'm trying to make myself read some weightier tomes, like Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway, Huxley's Brave New World and Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles. I'm just not having a lot of luck convincing myself to read them. But stay tuned - I swear I'll read a classic one of these days!
.
62. The Raw Shark Texts - Steven Hall
Kinda mind-blowing. It took a little time and effort to get into this book, and a little more time to wrap my head around the concept behind it, but I was rewarded with a reading experience I've never had before. It will easily fall in my top ten books of the year.
63. Wicked Nights - Nina Bangs
Fluff. Enjoyable and well-written fluff, but after the RST, I wanted light and uncomplicated.
64. To Bed a Beauty - Nicole Jordan
And more fluff. Smutty fluff. My favorite kind.
A nice, easy read. I'm kind of enjoying the fluffy romance books these days - and kind of needing them to help restore my belief in love. I know, it's not like the books. Boy do I know that. But the fairy tale is still nice to believe in now and then :) And what woman doesn't want to fantasize about a fabulously wealthy, super hot man whose only goal in life is to make her life perfect?
65. Key of Light - Nora Roberts
If you guessed there were three friends, and three women drawn together to solve a mystical mystery, and those folks started pairing off, you'd be totally right. She's a great writer, though, and while I know the way this trilogy will play out, I'm still enjoying it. And loving that, at least in Roberts' romances, the men aren't all kajillionaires and they sometimes seem like normal folks.
I'm trying to make myself read some weightier tomes, like Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway, Huxley's Brave New World and Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles. I'm just not having a lot of luck convincing myself to read them. But stay tuned - I swear I'll read a classic one of these days!
.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
.
Oh wow.
I really loved this book. After reading the 'lighter' Twilight series books, it took me a chapter or so to get into the more intricate and detailed writing of this book, but I'm so glad I did. This is just a beautiful story.
~
Updated list
1. The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman
2. The Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman
3. The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman
4. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
5. Innocent in Death - J.D. Robb
6. Seven Up - Janet Evanovich
7. Hard Eight - Janet Evanovich
8. Unconditional Parenting - Alfie Kohn
9. To the Nines - Janet Evanovich
10. Tourist Season - Carl Hiaasen
11. The Secret Life of Bees - Sun Monk Kidd
12. Crazy Time: Surviving Divorce and Building a New Life - Abigail Trafford
13. Ten Big Ones - Janet Evanovich
14. Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K. Hamilton
15. The Ruby in the Smoke - Philip Pullman
16. Double Whammy - Carl Hiaasen
17. The Accidental Tourist - Anne Tyler
18. Blood Brothers - Nora Roberts
19. Eleven on Top - Janet Evanovich
20. The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing - Melissa Bank
21. Zlata's Diary - Zlata Filipovic
22. The Reading Group - Elizabeth Noble
23. Heartburn - Nora Ephron
24. The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
25. Twelve Sharp - Janet Evanovich
26. Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Kaysen
27. Lean, Mean Thirteen - Janet Evanovich
28. Plum Lovin' - Janet Evanovich
29. The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time - Mark Haddon
30. Skinny Dip - Carl Hiaasen
31. Metro Girl - Janet Evanovich
32. Native Tongue - Carl Hiaasen
33. Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer
34. Morrigan's Cross - Nora Roberts
35. Dance of the Gods - Nora Roberts
36. Valley of Silence - Nora Roberts
37. Strangers in Death - JD Robb
38. The Mermaid Chair - Sue Monk Kidd
39. Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris
40. The Laughing Corpse - Laurell K. Hamilton
41. Flush - Carl Hiaasen
42. The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks
43. Bare Bones - Kathy Reichs
44. Sick Puppy - Carl Hiaasen
45. Plum Lucky - Janet Evanovich
46. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim - David Sedaris
47. Lucky You - Carl Hiaasen
48. Stormy Weather - Carl Hiaasen
49. Necessary Losses - Judith Viorst
50. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See
51. Holidays on Ice - David Sedaris
52. Blue Dahlia - Nora Roberts
53. Black Rose - Nora Roberts
54. Red Lily - Nora Roberts
55. The Little Book of Letting Go - Hugh Prather
56. Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
57. How to Survive the Loss of a Love - Peter McWilliams, Harold H. Bloomfield, and Melba Colgrove
58. New Moon - Stephanie Meyer
59. Mom's House, Dad's House - Isolina Ricci
60. Naked - David Sedaris
61. The Memory Keeper's Daughter - Kim Edwards
.
Oh wow.
I really loved this book. After reading the 'lighter' Twilight series books, it took me a chapter or so to get into the more intricate and detailed writing of this book, but I'm so glad I did. This is just a beautiful story.
~
Updated list
1. The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman
2. The Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman
3. The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman
4. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
5. Innocent in Death - J.D. Robb
6. Seven Up - Janet Evanovich
7. Hard Eight - Janet Evanovich
8. Unconditional Parenting - Alfie Kohn
9. To the Nines - Janet Evanovich
10. Tourist Season - Carl Hiaasen
11. The Secret Life of Bees - Sun Monk Kidd
12. Crazy Time: Surviving Divorce and Building a New Life - Abigail Trafford
13. Ten Big Ones - Janet Evanovich
14. Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K. Hamilton
15. The Ruby in the Smoke - Philip Pullman
16. Double Whammy - Carl Hiaasen
17. The Accidental Tourist - Anne Tyler
18. Blood Brothers - Nora Roberts
19. Eleven on Top - Janet Evanovich
20. The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing - Melissa Bank
21. Zlata's Diary - Zlata Filipovic
22. The Reading Group - Elizabeth Noble
23. Heartburn - Nora Ephron
24. The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
25. Twelve Sharp - Janet Evanovich
26. Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Kaysen
27. Lean, Mean Thirteen - Janet Evanovich
28. Plum Lovin' - Janet Evanovich
29. The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time - Mark Haddon
30. Skinny Dip - Carl Hiaasen
31. Metro Girl - Janet Evanovich
32. Native Tongue - Carl Hiaasen
33. Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer
34. Morrigan's Cross - Nora Roberts
35. Dance of the Gods - Nora Roberts
36. Valley of Silence - Nora Roberts
37. Strangers in Death - JD Robb
38. The Mermaid Chair - Sue Monk Kidd
39. Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris
40. The Laughing Corpse - Laurell K. Hamilton
41. Flush - Carl Hiaasen
42. The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks
43. Bare Bones - Kathy Reichs
44. Sick Puppy - Carl Hiaasen
45. Plum Lucky - Janet Evanovich
46. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim - David Sedaris
47. Lucky You - Carl Hiaasen
48. Stormy Weather - Carl Hiaasen
49. Necessary Losses - Judith Viorst
50. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See
51. Holidays on Ice - David Sedaris
52. Blue Dahlia - Nora Roberts
53. Black Rose - Nora Roberts
54. Red Lily - Nora Roberts
55. The Little Book of Letting Go - Hugh Prather
56. Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
57. How to Survive the Loss of a Love - Peter McWilliams, Harold H. Bloomfield, and Melba Colgrove
58. New Moon - Stephanie Meyer
59. Mom's House, Dad's House - Isolina Ricci
60. Naked - David Sedaris
61. The Memory Keeper's Daughter - Kim Edwards
.
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Twilight Saga
.
I'm on the bandwagon. Totally and completely.
I love Bella and Edward. I love the two books I've read so far (Twilight and New Moon), and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next two.
I'm amazed at how much I've enjoyed the 'big' Young Adult series - His Dark Materials, Harry Potter and now this. Makes me think I'm going to have to pick up Artemis Fowl series one of these days.
My only complaint is that how easy a read the books are and how quickly I can tear through them.
58. New Moon - Stephanie Meyer
.
I'm on the bandwagon. Totally and completely.
I love Bella and Edward. I love the two books I've read so far (Twilight and New Moon), and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next two.
I'm amazed at how much I've enjoyed the 'big' Young Adult series - His Dark Materials, Harry Potter and now this. Makes me think I'm going to have to pick up Artemis Fowl series one of these days.
My only complaint is that how easy a read the books are and how quickly I can tear through them.
58. New Moon - Stephanie Meyer
.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Nora Roberts' 'In the Garden' trilogy
.
I enjoyed it, really, I did.
Even if, like the Circle trilogy, and the two books I've read so far of the Sign of the Seven trilogy are almost the same books, but with slightly different subjects.
Six people - three men, three women - are the main characters, and naturally, they all hook up and become three couples. Each book focuses on one of the couples. The women are strong, not needy, and all are resistant of the relationship they end up with. The guys are sensitive studmuffins who always support and respect the women. This divorcee is hoping she meets a man like that, but is realist enough to know that it's highly unlikely :)
Regardless, it was an engrossing trilogy, and I found myself unable to put it down unless my kids were awake and required my presence.
53. Black Rose - Nora Roberts
54. Red Lily - Nora Roberts
.
I enjoyed it, really, I did.
Even if, like the Circle trilogy, and the two books I've read so far of the Sign of the Seven trilogy are almost the same books, but with slightly different subjects.
Six people - three men, three women - are the main characters, and naturally, they all hook up and become three couples. Each book focuses on one of the couples. The women are strong, not needy, and all are resistant of the relationship they end up with. The guys are sensitive studmuffins who always support and respect the women. This divorcee is hoping she meets a man like that, but is realist enough to know that it's highly unlikely :)
Regardless, it was an engrossing trilogy, and I found myself unable to put it down unless my kids were awake and required my presence.
53. Black Rose - Nora Roberts
54. Red Lily - Nora Roberts
.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Almost at the halfway point
.
47. Lucky You - Carl Hiaasen
48. Stormy Weather - Carl Hiaasen
I enjoy his books, obviously.
They're somewhat predictable, in that someone is either destroying the state of Florida directly (developers) or doing it indirectly (tourists, mostly), and he has a few anti-heroes he cycles through, but I still love the books. I love the style of writing, the acerbic wit and I love Skink (especially) and Mick Stranahan. Carl's also usually good for a well-written and relatively intelligent female character, and ya gotta love him for that.
.
47. Lucky You - Carl Hiaasen
48. Stormy Weather - Carl Hiaasen
I enjoy his books, obviously.
They're somewhat predictable, in that someone is either destroying the state of Florida directly (developers) or doing it indirectly (tourists, mostly), and he has a few anti-heroes he cycles through, but I still love the books. I love the style of writing, the acerbic wit and I love Skink (especially) and Mick Stranahan. Carl's also usually good for a well-written and relatively intelligent female character, and ya gotta love him for that.
.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
#39-41
#39 - Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris
Laugh out loud funny. Loved this book.
#40 - The Laughing Corpse - Laurell K. Hamilton
Very good - I like the characters in the book and loved the dark ending.
#41 - Flush - Carl Hiaasen
One of his two young adult books, so a quick, easy read but still exactly what I read Hiaasen for.
And in the "full circle" arena, a UF alumnus-written book has a fansite at a Pflugerville, TX high school. Whooda thunkit.
Laugh out loud funny. Loved this book.
#40 - The Laughing Corpse - Laurell K. Hamilton
Very good - I like the characters in the book and loved the dark ending.
#41 - Flush - Carl Hiaasen
One of his two young adult books, so a quick, easy read but still exactly what I read Hiaasen for.
And in the "full circle" arena, a UF alumnus-written book has a fansite at a Pflugerville, TX high school. Whooda thunkit.
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