Mishka's Reading

January 2009 Books

2009-01-31T17:05:00.001+09:00

1001 Nights in Iraq - Shant Kenderian

Interesting read. Great insight to the situations that many Iraqi's might have found themselves

Eclipse - Stephanie Meyer

1st book in the series is still the best one but I did enjoy this read.

Breaking Dawn - Stephanie Meyer

Final book in the series. They wrapped things up nicely but did leave the option for there to be more books in the saga. I enjoyed it but still think the first book was the best one.

Marley and Me - John Grogan

Wanted to read this one before seeing the movie. Enjoyed the book. Cried at the end as expected.

Stationary Bike - Stephen King

Only released on CD...enjoyed listening to this in the car but think I prefer to read his books.

Books from 2008

2008-12-31T17:21:00.000+09:00

This post just recaps my leisure and required reading from 2008.

★ Every Boy's Got One - Meg Cabot
Quick fun read...not deep but fun.

★ ★ Two Little Girls in Blue - Mary Higgins Clark
First read of this author. I enjoyed it, and will probably hunt out some more of her stuff. Recommend if you like the mystery.

★ Shoes to Die For - Laura Levine
Fun quick read as well. Not the greatest plot but still enjoyable.

★ ★ Three Weeks With My Brother -Nicholas and Micah Sparks
Quick read and interesting history. I haven't read a lot of the Sparks books but have seen a few of the movies. It was interesting to see an author and their process up close.

★ ★Body Surfing - Anita Shreve
Always enjoy Anita's stuff even if it is catagorized at Chick Lit. This one was not as sad as some have been even though I thought it might be when I first started it. Would recommend.

★The Mortician's Daughter - Elizabeth Bloom
Decent little murder mystery. Plot okay, and kept me interested.

★ ★ ★ Reading Lolita in Tehran - Azar Nafisi
This book was good. I didn't know all the books the author was referencing so I did get a bit lost in parts but I was intrigued to read about the everyday life of these women.

★ The Fifth Victim - Beverly Barton
Interesting mystery but sometimes a bit too much like a romance novel for my taste.

★ Coyote Dream - Jessica Davis Stein
Definitely falls into the chic lit catagory but a fun read nonetheless.

★ ★ ★Obsession - Jonathan Kellerman
Always love the Alex Delaware stories...great read.

★ ★ ★ ★Duma Key - Stephen King
Fabulous!!! I wish it wouldn't end. Didn't last nearly long enough. Highly recommend.

★ ★ ★The Stone Diaries - Carol Shields
Definitely an interesting story and look in the past US. Had this on my list for some time and am glad I finally read it. Definitely recommend.

★ ★ ★ The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kid
Highly recommend this one. Loved it.

★ ★ ★A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith
This has turned out to be a great book. I highly recommend it.

★ Big Boned - Meg Cabot
Fun quick fluff read.

★ ★ Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
Very interesting story. Definitely a new perspective.

Sleeping with Ward Cleaver - Jenny Gardiner
Another fluff read. Way more romance that I would prefer. Typical chick lit I guess.

★ ★ Friday Night Knitting Club - Kate Jacobs
Decent story. One reviewer called it a Steel Magnolias set in Manhattan that is very accurate. Would recommend.

★ ★ Book of the Dead - Patricia Cornwell
Another great Kay Scarpetta book. I love them, however there is always so much time in between, I tend to lose the backstory. I would recommend this one.

★ My Best Friend's Girl - Dorothy Koomson
Enjoyed the read. Interesting plot idea.

Wife Goes On - Leslie Lehr
Quick read....got a bit tired of the stereotypes though.

★ ★ The Last Summer (of You and Me) - Ann Brashares
I actually really enjoyed this book. I kept waiting for more to happen but then ended up liking it just the way it was. Would definitely recommend.

★ If I Am Missing or Dead - Janine Latus
True story...sad but a great read.

★ The Overlook - Michael Connelly
This was a first for this author for me and I really liked the character even if it was a bit stereotyped. I will probably read more of this character if not others in the future.

★ ★ ★ ★Tuesdays with Morrie - MItch Albom
This is also another first for me with this author. I wanted to read another one but thought I better read this one first. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK!!! I highly recommend it. My favorite for the year definitely and I can't believe I didn't read it sooner. Just what I needed right now too.

★ ★ ★ ★Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
Another GREAT book. I need to see the movie and see if they pulled it of. Highly recommend.

★ What the Dead Know - Laura Lippman
Another interesting mystery. A decent read but not my favorite.

★ ★ The Unquiet - John Connelly
Enjoyed this book. Will probably look for others with the same main character if there are more.

★ Dream When You're Feeling Blue - Elizabeth Berg
I enjoyed this one too....it was a bit depressing in parts but it was an interesting look back in time and into the minds of people going through WWII

★ ★ ★ ★ A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini
FABULOUS BOOK!!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this one. This guy is a great write and just takes you inside the characters so well that you feel like you living every minute with them. I HIGHLY recommend this book!!!!

★ ★ Nineteen Minutes - Jodi Picoult
Really enjoyed this story. The insight to all sides of this story was very interesting and kept me reading long after I was too tired to continue. I recommend this one for sure.

★ Otherwise Engaged - Suzanne Finnamore
Picked this one up because I knew I was going to be done with all the other books I had brought with me, and I was disappointed. It was definitely a fluff read...fast but not really that entertaining. The main character actually made me hate her mostly....

★ ★Riding Lessons - Sara Gruen
The best of the three books I read this month. Not as good as Water For Elephants but still a good read.

★ Project Jennifer - Jill Amy Rosenblatt
Not a great book but a fast read that was amusing at times.

★ The View From Mount Joy - Lorna Landvik
An interesting but unmemorable read. It left me feeling a bit unfinished.

★ Going Down South - Bonnie Glover
I enjoyed this read even though it was pretty predictable.

★ ★ ★Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
So much fun to read....definitely recommend. It definitely takes you back.

★ ★ ★New Moon - Stephanie Meyer
I didn't like this one as much as the first but I think it was still good. I think the first grabbed me more on an emotional level...reliving that high school crush on the "bad boy" feelings.

Books from 2007

2008-01-01T16:04:00.002+09:00

This post just recaps my leisure and required reading from 2007.

★ ★ ★ Gone -Jonathon Kellerman
Another fabulous Alex Delaware book. I just love this character and the stories around it. Definitely recommend.

★ ★ Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason -Helen Fielding
I had already seen the movie before reading this and at first the writing kind of bugged me but eventually I got into it and it was quite a fun read. Now I need to see both movies again.

★ Hissy Fit -Mary Kay Andrews
Quick read, and funny characters but reminded me a bit of a romance novel...don't know if it was supposed to be that way or not.

★ ★ Three Weeks With My Brother -Nicholas and Micah Sparks
Quick read and interesting history. I haven't read a lot of the Sparks books but have seen a few of the movies. It was interesting to see an author and their process up close.

★ ★ ★Julie and Julia -Julie Powell
This one was pure entertainment. I was able to understand the characters (although the French cooking sounded not fun at times) and I loved the fictionalized life of Julia Childs added in.

★Queen of Babble -Meg Cabot
This one was a fun little read too but at first the main character gave me a headache rambling on and on.

★ ★ The Guy Not Taken -Jennifer Weiner
Fun read. It through me off a bit that the first three stories were related but none of the others were. I had heard poor things about this book but it was still a fun JW read and you can see where some of her other books came from.

★ ★What Do You Do All Day? -Amy Scheibe
Quick read. The main character was easy to relate to and I enjoyed the story line.

Clown Girl -Monica Drake
This one was a bit weird for me. I guess because I don't relate to the life style at all and it was kind of sad the entire time.

★ ★Girl In A Box -Sujata Massey
Enjoyed this little mystery. Character was fun and I might even try to see if I can get my hands on a few more of this series.

★ ★Me & Emma -Elizabeth Flock
Interesting book. Easy characters to get into. Twisty ending...would recommend.

★ Walking in Circles Before Lying Down -Merrill Markoe
Kind of a strange one. Seemed a bit of a downer.

★ ★ Blood Makes The Grass Grow Green -Johnny Rico
Interesting story. Not many war stories from actual soldiers are from this perspective. I thought it was nice to see both sides.

★ ★ ★Lean Mean Thirteen -Janet Evanovich
These are always fun. If you don't know Stephanie Plum, you should get to know her...she is a lot of fun. I recommend this one as a fast fun read.

★ ★ ★Wyeth at Kuerners -Andrew Wyeth
One of my favorite artists. Received this coffee table book as a gift and have really enjoyed it. Love the explanation of the work.

★ ★ ★ ★ Blaze -Richard Bachman
Of course I loved this one. My favorite author rarely disappoints. Highly recommend if you are a fan.

The Accidental -Ali Smith
I thought this one was a bit weird and really didn't get into it much. I think I even considered not reading it a few times. Wouldn't recommend.

★ ★ Veil of Roses -Laura Fitzgerald
Fun quick read...a bit predictable but still fun. I thought her mom was quite funny.

★ ★ ★ ★Water for Elephants -SSara Gruen
Fabulous book. Highly recommend. I was caught up in the characters from the start and still find myself thinking about them and what they might be doing.

★ ★The Tenth Circle -Jodi Picoult
Decent read. Not my favorite but that is partly because it felt like the end was too rushed and not fleshed out as well as the rest of the plot. Worth the read, for sure.

★ ★ ★The Road -Cormac McCarthy
Loved this story. Reminded me a bit of Stephen King's gunslinger series. You could really get in touch with both the boy and his father. Would highly recommend.

★ ★ ★ ★The Red Tent -Anita Diamant
Great story. What a look into the lives of women from that time, good and bad aspects alike. Great character, you lived right there with her the entire time. Would highly recommend.

★ ★ ★ ★ Three Cups of Tea -Greg Mortenson, and David Oliver Relin
This is a great book....wish I could have that kind of affect on the world. Definitely recommend this one to everyone.

★ ★ The Inheritance of Loss -Kiran Desai
Interesting characters and story. Definitely a peek into another world. Would recommend.

★ ★ Eye Contact -Cammie McGovern
Interesting characters and story. Second book in a row for me with challenged children in it. Nice little mystery.

★ ★ The Pact: A Love Story -Jodi Picoult
Sad but the characters are easy to get into and understand. Plot is well written and the book is hard to put down. Would recommend.

★ ★ ★ Charlotte's Web -E.B. White
Great story. Reread for me but hadn't in a while so it was nice to do it again. Would highly recommend.

★ Best Friends -Martha Moody
Interesting characters and story. Ending seemed abrupt and not finished.

★ ★ The Memory Keeper's Daughter -Kim Edwards
Interesting characters and story. Plot was long and a bit more drawn out than it needed to be.

★ ★ The Book of Bright Ideas -Sandra Kring
Liked this one a lot as well. Characters were easy to relate to, felt that the ending could have been different but that is because I would like to know what happens next. Would recommend.

★ ★ The Glass Castle: A Memoir -Jeannette Walls
Definitely an interesting story especially considering it is true. The characters were great and easy to get into. Would recommend.

★ ★ The Problem With Murmur Lee -Connie May Fowler
Enjoyed this one...story was interesting, characters were good and plot was believable. Would recommend.

★ Maybe A Miracle -Brian Strause
This could have been much better than it was...too much God stuff for me but I liked the main character and his sister.

★ ★ ★ Accidental Happiness -Jean Reynolds Page
Enjoyed this one...story was interesting, characters were good and plot was believable. Would definitely recommend.

★ ★ The Hard Life -Ian Irwin
Fun read, a lot like his first blog "The Hard Word" which no longer exists. This book is not currently available from lulu.com but some of his others are.

Moving Away from Amazon

2007-09-16T12:01:00.000+09:00

As you probably know from reading my other blog, Amazon is not on my favorite's list any longer. I will not be doing business with them any more so I am in the process of making all my book info link to Powell's. While I do that, I am taking the posts down because I don't want Amazon to get any funds off of me.

Sorry for the inconvenience. I will be posting my September reading list linked to Powell's shortly and it will be up while I am working on the others. Thanks to Mindsprite for giving me the idea of who to link to these days.

Books From 2006

2007-01-01T13:55:00.002+09:00

This post just recaps my leisure and required reading from 2006.

★Why Didn't You Get Me Out? -Frank Anton
A true story. Good read. Writing wasn't terrific, lots of information was repeated and the story kind of jumped around but I found it very educational.

★ Ellen Foster -Kay Gibbons
Very quick read. Interesting characters, kind of roundabout story line...didn't feel like it ended right.

Fast Women -Jennifer Crusie
Quick read. Not deep but still fun to read. A little on the romance novel side.

★ ★ ★ ★ Cell -Stephen King
Read it in two days. Awesome read. I love his stuff, that is why he is my favorite author. The characters are awesome and you get into them right away and the story just flies. Definitely recommend!!!

Serpent's Tooth -Faye Kellerman
Definitely like the husband's stuff better. Research wasn't done well. Felt it was a little farfetched for crime fiction.

★ ★ ★ ★ Naked in Baghdad -Anne Garrels
Finally got around to this loaner from my sister. Great book, I loved the insight and all the information about the pre-war Iraq and what the people were thinking and doing. By the end, I really felt like I knew Annie. I listen to NPR quite frequently, so I will be listening for her. Definitely recommend from a historical and character aspect.

★ ★ Merrick -Anne Rice
This was published a while ago but I had gotten away from her stuff because I was never able to get into Violin. I really enjoyed this book. I loved the original vampire and witch stories so this was a nice combination of the two.

★ ★ ★ ★ The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh -A.A. Milne
A reread of one of my favorite characters. I love having all the stories with the original illustrations in one book.

★ ★ ★ Wintering: A Novel of Sylvia Plath -Kate Moses
Interesting read. Don't know that I have read any of Ms. Plath's work but plan to now. Character was easy to relate to and the house in the country was to die for.

★ ★Worth More Dead -Ann Rule
Got hooked on true crime by my mom years ago and we have both been Ann Rule fans for ages. Good book, stories were great and awful at the same time.

★ ★Isabel's Daughter -Judith Ryan Hendricks
Good read, I loved the characters but wish the ending had been a bit more finished. I am not big on open endings.

★ ★ True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters -Elisabeth Robinson
Good book. Would recommend. Easy characters to relate to and a quick read.

★The Undomestic Goddess -Sophie Kinsella
Very fast read, started and finished on 5 hour flight from west to east. Chuckled a few times, fun characters.

★ Speak Softly, She Can Hear -Pam Lewis
Kind of a stressful book. I got into the characters and then felt their stress the entire time I was reading it. I enjoyed it, but it started off weird.

★The Reader -Bernhard Schlink
Another kind of weird one. Enjoyed it after I got into it but didn't really see the plot as moving towards anything. Got great reviews so I might be missing something.

★ ★A Wedding in December -Anita Shreve
Good book, really enjoy this writer. Her characters are always easy to get into. Quick read, would recommend.

★ ★ Amy and Isabel -Elizabeth Strout
Interesting read. Took a while for me to figure out the time jumping that was going on but enjoyed myself nonetheless. Would recommend.

★ ★ Size 12 Is Not Fat -Meg Cabot
Fun book. Reminded me of the Evanovich books. Character was easy to relate to and the plot was fun and mysterious. Definitely would recommend.

★ ★Velocity -Dean Koontz
Nice little mystery...had me going from start to finish. He knows how to write them.

★ ★ ★The Pearl -John Steinbeck
Reread for me...I have a bunch of classics hanging around that I go back to occasionally. Good story, but not one of his best.

★ ★ ★ ★ Kite Runner -Khaled Hosseini
Absolutely one of the best books I have read this year. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. Great characters, and insight into a culture I know very little about. It made me what to travel to Afghanistan some day.

★ ★ ★ Good Grief -Lolly Winston
Great book even though it is a bit sad and hard to picture going through. I felt for the character the entire time. I am sure I would be in such a state if the same thing happened to me.

★ ★ Welcome to my Planet -Shannon Olson
Fun quick read...a bit predictable but still fun. I thought her mom was quite funny.

★Children of God Go Bowling -Shannon Olson
Second in the series...I didn't like it as well as the first one but once again a quick fun read. I cried with this one.

★ ★Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman -Elizabeth Buchan
Good book, I enjoyed the pace, the characters and the plot. Was hard to read in parts because of personal issues but still a good read.

★ ★ Paging Aphrodite -Kim Green
Another book club selection and it was another fast read. I enjoyed the format and the characters even if the story was a bit predictable or cliche.

★ ★ ★ The Accidental Tourist -Anne Tyler
Everyone has always recommended this book but I had never read it. I loved the characters but Macon made me very anxious in the first part of the book. I thought the ending seemed forced and not well thought out and that at times the author was just going for shock value on things that happened in the book to take the reader from one extreme to the next. I would recommend but not highly.

★ ★ Lady Luck's Map of Las Vegas -Barbara Samuel
Enjoyed this quick read. Characters are interesting and the plot is definitely unique. I would recommend

★ ★ ★ The Book of Joe -Jonathon Tropper
Read this one in one day. Was sucked into the story and the characters right away. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend. Plot was a bit predictable but still good to read. Loved the process of moving back and forth in time. I was enthralled in both stories.

★ ★ A Lesson Before Dying -Ernest J Gaines
I checked this out a few weeks ago thinking I hadn't read it and only got a few pages in and realized that I had, quite some time ago. It is a good read, although not a cheerful book.

★ ★ Ladder of Years -Anne Tyler
This was a good book but not the best. I thought it was weird how she left and I thought the end was very short and rushed. I did get sucked into the characters and I did enjoy the read.

★ ★ ★ ★The Salmon of Doubt -Douglas Adams
Fabulous book. I love Douglas Adams and I thought this book was a good way to see a side of him that many have never seen. The story is not exactly done but all the other material is what make it a great book. It is sad that Douglas died when he did, because we are missing so much.

★ ★ ★Twelve Sharp -Janet Evanovich
These books are always so much fun for me...fast and hilarious, if not a bit predictable. The chemistry between the three main characters is enough to drive me crazy. I am glad my mom turned me onto them and I plan to spread the desire to a friend or two.

★ ★ ★ ★ Lisey's Story -Stephen King
Got this book when it came out earlier this month. Stephen King is one of my favorite authors so I was excited to read this one. It is a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend it..

★ ★ Knitting Under The Influence -Claire LaZebnik
Quick read for our book club. Enjoyed the book although it was a bit predictable. Definitely falls into the typical chick lit catagory.

★ Same As It Never Was -Claire LaZebnik
Same author as above. Her first book. Fun quick read but irritating in that the timetable in the story didn't work. Not as good as the knitting one.

Information Systems Management in Practice -Barbara McNurlin and Ralph Spraque, Jr.
My textbook for this semester. I didn't get it all in but I got most of it in. Didn't like it much, could have used a better book for this class.

★ Inside Delta Force: The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit -Eric Haney
Interesting read, but felt a bit self serving and perhaps more information than needed to be shared.

★ ★ ★ The Lady in the Lake -Raymond Chandler
A gift from my sis...can't believe I never read this one before. Great murder mystery and looking forward to reading them all.

★ ★ ★The Big Sleep -Raymond Chandler
Another Chandler mystery. Great story and definitely has me wanting more.

Books from 2005

2006-01-01T13:59:00.000+09:00

This post just recaps my leisure reading from 2005.

★ ★ ★Devil in the White City - Erik Larson
Great true story. Author did excellent research and presents it in a way that is very enjoyable. Highly recommend.

★ ★ ★War Trash - Ha Jin
Another great story, this one based on true facts. Easy to get into the character and relate to the circumstances. Highly recommend.

★ ★Eleven on Top - Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum is at it again, very enjoyable, not quite as funny as some of the others.

★The First Desire - Nancy Reisman
Interesting story, characters are fully developed but plot leaves a bit to be desired (no pun intended).

★ ★ The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time -Mark Haddon
Absolutely great book, what a vision into a the head of someone with autism. Definitely recommend.

★ ★ ★The Drowning Tree -Carol Goodman
Great book, fast read, bold characters, intriguing story. Would highly recommend.

★ ★A Cold Heart -Jonathan Kellerman
Another Alex Delaware story. Pretty good story and quick read.

★ ★Light on Snow -Anita Shreve
A fast read, wonderful characters, lovely story. Would recommend.

★ ★While I Was Gone -Sue Miller
Finished it up in a few days. Good read, was a repeat for me although I didn't know that when I started. Very interesting main character, kind of weird plot.

★ ★ ★My Sister's Keeper -Jodi Piccoult
Wow, read this book in two days. Loved it, but it is a downer. Highly recommend.

★ ★ ★Urgent 2nd Class: Creating Curious Collage, Dubious Documents, and Other Art From Ephemera -Nick Bantock
Purchased this one because he is one of my favorite author/artists, and because the book talks about how he does his work and I needed some ideas for some stuff I am doing.

★ ★Over the Edge - Jonathan Kellerman
An Alex Delaware story. Always worth the read.

★The Goddesses of Kitchen Avenue -by Barbara Samuel
Great story, fast read. Characters are believable. Author repeats herself a few times but other than that, I would recommend.

My Little Blue Dress -Bruno Maddox
I didn't find this book nearly as amusing as the critics. Unless you know it is a farce, you won't get it.

★ ★★Ten Big Ones -Janet Evanovich
Fast fun read. Another Stephanie Plum book and a lot of fun. Waited for the paperback, that is why I am behind on this one.

★ ★★★The Poisonwood Bible -Barbara Kingsolver
Another one of the great books for the year for me. Would highly recommend.

Farm Fatale -Wendy Holden
Interesting, but characters are not deep and story is only okay.

★The Amateur Marriage -Anne Tyler
Good book, fast read. The characters are believable.

★Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons -Lorna Landvik

★She's Come Undone -Wally Lamb
Good book, a bit depressing but character development is awesome.

★ ★★Sea Glass -Anita Shreve
Very good book, nice history aspect, I would highly recommend.

★Angels -Marian Keyes
Funny in parts but not the best that I have read.

★ ★Last Letters Home -Life, HBO and New York Times
Really hard book to read, very emotional, but definitely worth it. Some proceeds are donated.

★ ★Winnie the Pooh: A Celebration of a Silly Old Bear -Christopher Finch
Lots of history of Winnie the Pooh, this is a coffee table sized book.

Every Secret Thing -Laura Lippen
Nice try at a story but I thought it was not well thought, characters were not very deep, and predictable and there were subplots that were completely unnecessary.

★ ★★Trace -Patricia Cornwell
Scarpetta book that is a good read but not one of the best.

★ ★★ ★The Dark Tower -Stephen King
Has been one of my favorite authors since I was little. Great continuation of the story.

★ ★★Here on Earth -Alice Hoffman
A reread for me. Great book, would definitely recommend.

★ ★In Her Shoes -Jennifer Weiner
Another easy read, fast and fun.

★ ★sMothering -Wendy French
Funny and easy to relate to the characters.

★ ★Good in Bed -Jennifer Weiner
Funny quick read that is easy to get into.

★Dogs of Babel -Carolyn Parkhurst
Kind of weird, but very interesting and easy to read.

★ ★ ★ ★The Time Traveler's Wife -Audrey Niffenegger
Absolutely my favorite of the year, would highly recommend.

Books from 2004

2005-01-01T10:18:00.004+09:00

This post just recaps some of the pleasure reading I did in 2004.

★ ★ ★Song of Susannah -Stephen King

One of my favorite authors, this is a continuation of a very long series of books called the Dark Tower.

★ ★ ★Wolves of the Calla -Stephen King
Another in the Dark Tower series.

★ ★ ★The Morning Star -Nick Bantock
One of three books in the continuing story of Griffin and Sabine. These books have amazing art like many of Nick's books do. They are also very hands on like the original series.

★ ★ ★Alexandria -NickBantock
One of three books in the continuing story of Griffin and Sabine. These books have amazing art like many of Nick's books do. They are also very hands on like the original series.

★ ★ ★The Gryphon -NickBantock
One of three books in the continuing story of Griffin and Sabine. These books have amazing art like many of Nick's books do. They are also very hands on like the original series.

★ ★Earnhardt: A Racing Family Legacy -Primedia
A very interesting look at the history of the Earnhardts. Coffee table sized book.

★ ★ Andrew Wyeth: Autobiography -Thomas Hoving
One of my favorite artists. His work is amazing and this book is also coffee table sized.

★ ★ ★The Spirit of Okinawa -Photographed by Shokyu Otsuka
An amazing coffee table book of beautiful pictures from the Okinawan Prefecture, Japan.

★ ★One Nation: American Remembers 9/11/01 -Life Magazine
A hard book to read but well worth it. Some proceeds are donated.

★ ★ ★Andy Goldsworthy: A Collaboration with Nature -Andy Goldsworthy
Another of my favorite artists. This coffee table sized book is amazing and was a very welcome gift this year.

★ ★Songs in Ordinary Time -Mary McGarry Morris
Great read, fast and easy to get into the characters.

★ ★Back When We Were Grownups -Anne Tyler
Another fast great read, like many of Anne's books. Characters are very real and identifiable.

★ ★Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant -Anne Tyler
Very good book, easy to relate to the characters.

★ ★ ★Drowning Ruth -Christina Schwarz
Highly recommend this one. Really enjoyed it.

★ ★White Oleander -Janet Fitch
Book is much better than the movie. Characters are much more real.

★ ★Jewel -Bret Lott
Surprised by how much I liked this book.