Books From June 2014

★ ★ ★ ★ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix -J.K. Rowling
The second in this series that I have not remembered seeing the movie of, even though I have seen the movie. So this book was a nice surprise since I really didn't know how it was going to happen. The story is definitely still intriguing.

★ ★ ★ ★ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince -J.K. Rowling
Enjoyed this one....don't remember the movie for it either so it was a "new" story to me. Thought for sure that the half blood prince was going to be the Dark Lord the whole time...enjoyed the twist.

★ ★ ★ How to Bake a Perfect Life -Barbara O'Neal
I enjoyed this quick read. Nothing too deep, but a decent plot and some fun reading.

Books From May 2014

★ ★ ★ ★ Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire -J.K. Rowling
I really enjoyed this book. I do not remember seeing this movie at all so this book was like a whole new adventure for me. Great read!!

★ ★ ★ ★ I, Alex Cross -James Patterson
This one was a great plot...kept me on my toes...nice twist at the end. Still loving this series.

★ ★ ★ ★ Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban -J.K. Rowling
Really liked this one...couldn't put it down in parts. It was a lot different from the movie and that added some cool interest to the story for me as well.

Books From April 2014

★ ★ ★ ★ Cross Country -James Patterson
Another great Alex Cross book...can't wait to start another one!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -J.K. Rowling
Finally got to reading this series...I actually like the fact that I have seen the movies...it makes the writing all that more vivid for me. Looking forward to the next one!

★ ★ ★ ★ Double Cross -James Patterson
Really enjoyed this book...interesting bad guy and was wondering when KC was going to come back into the picture...

★ ★ ★ ★ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets -J.K. Rowling
This would be the one I have seen the movie of the most and I really enjoyed the book. It has some plot items that were not covered in the movie and it made the story a bit more interesting.

Books From March 2014

★ ★ ★ UR -Stephen King
Listened to this one in the car...interesting concept...not long enough for me to get really engrossed...will probably listen to it again though. Mention of the 'lowmen' has me intrigued...

★ ★ ★ ★ W Is For Wasted -Sue Grafton
Waited forever for this one from the library. Great read...wish they had tied up a couple of loose ends at the end but you can't have everything.

★ ★ ★ London Bridges -James Patterson
Glad to see the Wolf and the Weasel are dead in one book...hated both of those characters with a passion.

★ ★ ★ ★ Mary, Mary -James Patterson
This one had a great plot...left behind some of the bad guys from earlier ones, which was a nice change. Really enjoyed the story here...

★ ★ ★ How To Eat A Cupcake -Meg Donohue
Fun quick read...nice change up from the Patterson and Kellerman books I have been busy with lately.

Books From February 2014

★ ★ ★ Journey -Aaron Becker

★ ★ ★ ★ Roses Are Red -James Patterson
I enjoyed this one even though it was out of order of some of the others I have been reading. I am looking forward to catching up and feeling like I am not bouncing all over the timeline.

★ ★ ★ Mr Wuffles -David Wiesner

★ ★ ★ Labor Day -Joyce Maynard
I wanted to read this before seeing the movie, and I am glad I did. It is a decent read, the characters are believable, however the plot was a bit wonky and it felt a tiny bit weird at the end how it was all wrapped up. I am still curious to see the movie when it comes out on DVD.

★ ★ ★ Wait Till Next Year: A Memoir -Doris Kearns Goodwin
This was an interesting read.

★ ★ ★ This Is The Rope: A Story From The Great Migration -Jacqueline Woodson

★ ★ ★ The Tortoise And The Hare -Jerry Pinkney

★ ★ ★ ★ Mr Tiger Goes Wild -Peter Brown 

★ ★ ★ 13 Words -Lemony Snicket

★ ★ ★ Still Missing -Chevy Stevens
This was a good ebook I picked up off the discount shelf on Barnes and Noble's site. Storyline was pretty intense and the way of presenting the story was very interesting. I felt that it got a bit lost near the end but overall, I enjoyed the book.

★ ★ ★ Brush Of The Gods -Lenore Look

★ ★ ★ ★ The Dark -Lemony Snicket

★ ★ ★ Nelson Mandela -Kadir Nelson

Books from January 2014

★ ★ ★ ★ Cat And Mouse -James Patterson
I really liked this one, even if I ended up reading it out of order. I liked that they diverged into the good guy being the bad guy and the twists...nice!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Doctor Sleep -Stephen King
I LOVED this book...okay, I might be a bit biased since SK is one of my absolute favorite authors but it was terrific...scary and intricate all at once. Characters you could really grab on to. I tend to have that feeling after a good book that I want to know what has happened to the characters since the book ended and this book fills that need to know...so awesomely! Thank you SK for writing this sequel! 

★ ★ ★ Pop Goes The Weasel -James Patterson
I read this one out of order because the one before it wasn't available but I still enjoyed it. It seems to be my way of reading this series (out of order). Once again, Alex to the rescue.

★ ★ ★  Evidence -Jonathan Kellerman
I was hesitant to start this one because I was pretty sure I had read it already but then it sucked me in and it turns out it was new to me! Really enjoyed the twists and the antagonists were just hateful!

★ ★  Jingle All The Way -Tom Shay-Zapien, Matt Wiewel
This was an okay children's book. I only bought it for my Nook because it was free and I was able to test the download of books when I was having some issues with the Nook.

Books from 2013

★ ★ ★ Along Came A Spider -James Patterson
I hate to say this, but I liked the movie more. Because I have read some of the older Cross books before this one, I find I like them better. Maybe it is the development of the character or something. I didn't like that Nana Mama seems to be a racist in this first book but that is just me.

★ ★ ★ ★ Kiss The Girls -James Patterson
Totally enjoyed this one...so different from the movie, it is amazing but still like both mediums.

★ ★ ★ ★ Takedown Twenty -Janet Evanovich
Once again Stephanie Plum is fun...too bad these books never last me more than a day or two. She is still just as indecisive as ever, and stumbling into troubles. I do hope they continue to make movies from these books...that would be fun.

★ ★ ★ ★ Bones -Jonathan Kellerman
This was an interesting story...kept you guessing to the end and I liked how he finished up by filling us in a bit on how things turned out.

★ ★ ★ The Big Bad Wolf -James Patterson
This one doesn't get as many stars for me...partly because I didn't like some aspects of the plot, and the ending felt a bit forced. I am not reading these completely in order so that might be part of it.

★ ★ ★ ★ The Murder Book -Jonathan Kellerman
This was a pretty good story....since I read one ahead of this while waiting for this one to be available, I was glad to get some info on the Robin issue and this plot was just pretty tense and intriguing!!

★ ★ ★ ★ Wild: From Lost to Found on PCT -Cheryl Strayed
I actually got into this book more than I thought. It was a really quick read.

★ ★ ★ Rage -Jonathan Kellerman
I loved this one up to the end...where it felt completely forced and untidy...

★ ★ ★ Dr Death -Jonathan Kellerman
I enjoyed this earlier one as well. Like how he tied things up at the end after the case was over.

★ ★ ★ ★  Jack and Jill -James Patterson
Really enjoyed this Alex Cross book...really makes me want to watch all the movies too.

★ ★ ★  Slide -Jill Hathaway
I liked this one. It was definitely young adult so none of it felt very deep but I liked the characters, and the story line was interesting. I felt like the author explained the same thing over and over a few times and that was a bit irritating.

★ ★ ★  Flesh and Blood -Jonathan Kellerman
This wasn't one of my favs...I felt like Alex was spending the whole time trying to convince Milo of farfetched ideas...and I really didn't like the conflict with Robin....but I guess even the love life needs an arc.

★ ★ ★ ★ Therapy -Jonathan Kellerman
I liked this story quite a bit, things were tied up neatly at the end and the twists in it kept the plot mysterious!

★ ★ ★ ★ Survival Of The Fittest -Jonathan Kellerman
Liked this story...was kind of cool how they brought in the new characters and at the same time totally put Alex in danger.

★ ★ ★ ★ Monster -Jonathan Kellerman
Enjoyed this earlier book...storyline was compelling and felt like it wrapped up nicely at the end.

★ ★ ★ The Clinic -Jonathan Kellerman
Enjoyed getting back to Alex's stories. This one flowed nicely but felt a bit weird at the end, like he felt like he had to tie up all the loose ends...

★ ★ ★ ★ Guilt -Jonathan Kellerman
This is the most recent of the Alex Delaware stories, so it took a bit for me to get with the story because I have been catching up on history reading the earlier ones lately. It was still a great read. Enjoyed the plot, loved the characters as always, and loved that the ending wasn't completely predictable. Would definitely recommend.

★ ★ ★ ★ Violets Are Blue -James Patterson
I enjoyed this one too. Love the short chapter writing style although it makes it hard to put the book down. Really liked the double storyline in this one as well...scary!

★ ★ ★  Flesh and Bone -Jefferson Bass
I thought this was a pretty good read! Story was good, characters were believable, and it kept moving in a good direction. Got this one from B and N for the Noook for cheap but haven't read the first book yet...will look for it through the library perhaps.

★ ★ ★ ★  Four Blind Mice -James Patterson
Started and finished this one today...5 hours pretty much straight through. Fun, fast read and his short chapters just suck you into "just one more chapter"...over and over again.

★ ★ ★ Throttle -Joe Hill, Stephen King
Finished this one up last night. Have read a lot of short stories, and found that this one had merit but was lacking in a few areas. The plot felt a little bit rushed. The character development could have been better. It almost felt like they determined that it was only going to be 35 pages and then tried to make the story fit that. Stephen King is one of my favorite authors so I was a little surprised that I didn't like this one more.

★ ★ ★  A Single Thread -Marie Bostwick
This was a pretty quick read. I liked how we went back and forth with the characters. I thought it was an interesting plot twist to add breast cancer survival.

★ ★ ★ ★ Cross -James Patterson
First of the Alex Cross books I have read and really enjoyed it...think I will stick to this character for the time being.

★ ★ ★ ★ The Bricklayer -Noah Boyd
Actually really liked this quick mystery read...the plot wasn't predictable, the characters were believable, and the story sucked you and kept you there. Definitely recommend.

★ ★ ★ Trail Of Blood -Lisa Black
Enjoyed this read...was a discount purchase from B and N for the Nook. Plot was good, and so were the characters. Liked how they moved between present and past.

★ ★ ★ Death Of A Kitchen Diva -Lee Hollis
Quick little cheap read...it was funny and amusing...nothing deep.

★ ★ Shattered -Elizabeth Lee
I didn't really like this book but I lack the ability to not finish a book so I did. It is definitely young adult romance...not my kind of thing.

★ ★ ★ Indelible -Karin Slaughter
I enjoyed this read...liked the format of going back and forth in time. Didn't like that it felt one aspect wasn't closed, but you can't always get everything you expect from a plot. I would be interested in reading more from this series.


★ ★ ★ ★ Drinking Closer To Home -Jessica Anya Blau
I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was on the ebook sale rack so I got it for 2.99 or less and I totally got into the characters and the plot pretty fast. I definitely recommend this one.

★ ★ ★ The Web -Jonathan Kellerman
This one was better than I thought it was going to be from reading the reviews. Missed the Milo/Alex connection for sure but it was still a decent story.

★ ★ ★ ★ Notorious Nineteen -Janet Evanovich
I always love me some Stephanie Plum...this one was pretty good. Not as much interaction with some of the other characters and it felt like the styling in the plot changed a bit...not sure if that is a permanent change or not. Still highly recommend this series...lots of fun and goes by way too fast.

★ ★ ★ Life Of Pi -Yann Martel
It wasn't as good as I hoped it would be, but I am looking forward to seeing the movie. I found myself skipping over a lot of the "wordy" sections and I hate when that happens.

★ ★ ★ ★ O Is For Outlaw -Sue Grafton
This one was great. I loved that she went back and filled in the back story of Michael. It was a great way to fill in some of the blanks.

★ ★ ★ ★K Is For Killer -Sue Grafton
Really enjoyed this one...sad to think that I only have one more before I am caught up on the series...

★ ★ ★ What Color Is Your Parachute? -Mark Emery Bolles

★ ★ ★ Self Defense -Jonathan Kellerman
This one wasn't one of my favorites...it was a little out there. Not as much Milo and Alex interaction and I missed that.

★ ★ ★ Bad Love -Jonathan Kellerman
This was another decent early book in the series...it was pretty suspenseful and twisty!

★ ★ ★ I Is For Innocent -Sue Grafton
This one was pretty good...although the ending felt rushed for me.

★ ★ ★ G Is For Gumshoe -Sue Grafton
This one was quite suspenseful...having a hit man chasing Kinsey the whole time added a new twist to the mystery.

★ ★ ★ ★ H Is For Homicide -Sue Grafton
This one was pretty good. Kind of a different take on this series, but I still enjoyed it and once again, it was hard to figure out exactly what was going on til the end. I did feel a bit anxious about the situation that Kinsey put herself in.

★ ★ ★ Devil's Waltz -Jonathan Kellerman
Decent book from the beginning of the series but got a bit convoluted for me eventually and I was kind of looking forward to it ending...sad, because I love this series.

Books from 2012

★ ★ ★ Private Eyes -Jonathan Kellerman
Could have sworn I had already read this one when I started it but turned out, I hadn't, or if I did, I didn't remember it. Was a decent story but seemed to drag quite a bit for a while.

★ ★ ★ ★ Victims -Jonathan Kellerman
Really liked the plot on this one...nice twists and pulling it all together at the end.

★ ★ ★ ★ V Is For Vengeance -Sue Grafton
Enjoyed this one even though the style was different than what I am normally used to in this series! Too bad it is the last one for now...back to earlier books in the series until she writes a new one.

★ ★ ★ ★ F Is For Fugitive -Sue Grafton
Really enjoyed this one too....the early books are quite good. Have to get the next one reserved at the library...

★ ★ ★ ★ Let's Pretend This Never Happened -Jenny Lawson
Am a fan of her blog and really loved this book and its quirky stories. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

★ ★ ★ ★ D Is For Deadbeat -Sue Grafton
This one was pretty good....back to the first books again. I figured it out before she told me but was still sad to realize I was right.

★ ★ ★ E Is For Evidence -Sue Grafton
It was fun to go back to the beginning again...and some of the later stuff makes more sense. Great fast read!

★ ★ ★ ★ Time Bomb -Jonathan Kellerman
Somehow finished this one on the Nook even though the "rental period" was over...just didn't close the book and it seemed to work okay. Which is good because I would have been really pissed to have to wait when I only had 100 pages to go. Anyhow, another of the beginning of the series books and I really enjoyed it. It is great to see how the characters developed over time.

★ ★ ★ Mystery -Jonathan Kellerman
I thought it was pretty good...lots of freaky people to make up a good mystery...LOL.

★ ★ ★ U Is For Undertow -Sue Grafton
Not as happy with this one as some of the others. It felt like she left things untidy. She never cleared up the timing issue with what Michael saw and what really happened.

★ ★ ★ ★ T Is For Trespass -Sue Grafton
Absolutely my favorite so far...had me on the edge of my toes the whole time. I didn't think I would like the switch in point of view but it really did work and the antagonist was just perfectly evil! Well done, and would highly recommend!

★ ★ ★ P Is For Peril -Sue Grafton
Enjoyed the story line on this one...scary people Kinsey had to deal with, but the ending was a bit abrupt.

★ ★ ★ Silent Partner -Jonathan Kellerman
First Kellerman I have read in a while and this was one of the first ones he wrote. The story line was a bit more convoluted than what I am used to but I still enjoyed it for the most part. I am now reading one of his more recent ones and I like the evolution of his writing style better I think.

★ ★ ★ Q Is For Quarry -Sue Grafton
Really enjoy this series, even if I am not able to read them in order. I have three more on my Nook from the library.

★ ★ ★ R Is For Ricochet -Sue Grafton
This is a really fun series for me...love the characters and the mysteries.

★ ★ ★ C Is For Corpse -Sue Grafton
Enjoy this series very much...am trying to read in order but it is kind of hard when some are not available on the Nook.

★ ★ ★ S Is For Silence -Sue Grafton
Having fun reading this series...only have a couple more I can get electronically then will have to hit up the library for paperbacks.

★ ★ ★ N Is For Noose -Sue Grafton
Another good read in the series...this one had me guessing to the end.

★ ★ ★ B Is For Burglar -Sue Grafton
Another great Kinsey book...quick read, fun characters and interesting mystery.

★ ★ ★ M Is For Malice -Sue Grafton
Enjoyed yet another in this series...didn't know what was going on until close to the end. Nicely done by the author.

★ ★ ★ ★ The Wind Through the Keyhole: A Dark Tower Novel -Stephen King
Loved this late addition to the Gunslinger series. What a great little story!! I think I see the makings of some follow up stories following some of the characters introduced in this book...

★ ★ ★ L Is For Lawless -Sue Grafton
I am enjoying this series and this character. I am not reading them in order but in cheapness for the Nook.

★ ★ ★ Jailbird -Heather Huffman
This one was better than the last one I read by this author...but once again, it felt like she had to rush to finish the story in the last few pages...seems like I have hit quite a few books like this lately.

★ ★ ★ ★ Red Mist -Patricia Cornwell
I always enjoy the Scarpetta stories....I was worried that it would be hard to get into this one because it has been a while since I have read one but after a few pages, I was back in the thick of things. I have forgotten all that they have been through, and probably should reread some of the first books again.

★ ★ ★ ★ How I Write: Secrets Of A Bestselling Author -Janet Evanovich
I am going to buy this one from Powells.com so I can highlight it and add post-its. I thought it was very interesting and had some great information for making a step towards getting published someday!

★ ★ ★ Don't Close Your Eyes -Lawrence Kelter
Reading this one explained a lot of stuff that didn't make sense in the second book...now I am skimming the second book just to refresh my brain. The mystery is pretty decently written but in both books in this series, he feels like he rushes the ending and just tries to explain everything and tidy it up.

★ ★ ★ The Brain Vault -Lawrence Kelter
This one was longer than the others so the plot was a bit more flushed out. It was still an enjoyable quick read although the author totally turned me off in his continued use of the word Oriental when writing about people of Asian origin.

★ ★ Throwaway -Heather Huffman
This unfortunately ended up being mostly a romance novel. I would say it was only barely a notch above a Harlequin...sadly I seem to have the inability to abandon a book once I have started it...

★ ★ ★ Ransom Beach -Lawrence Kelter
This one was okay....I liked the character and the twists in the plot but the writing wasn't super engaging. I am reading the first book now to see if perhaps it was better than this one.

★ ★ ★ ★ Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close -Jonathon Safran Foer
Other than technical difficulties I had with the ebook version I read on my Nook Color, I really enjoyed this book. The author has an amazing imagination and poured it all into these quirky unique characters. I too had moments where I could really feel the boy's pain at the loss of his father. I am excited to watch the movie now and see if they pulled it off.

★ ★ Last Writes -Laura Levine
Another in the series, enjoyed the quick read. Somewhat funny, character development is lacking and the plot is kind of thin...

★ ★ ★Killer Blonde -Laura Levine
Another quick read. Not deep or very unpredictable but still amusing.

★ ★ ★ The Elephant's Child -Rudyard Kipling
Fun to see what you can do with a children's book on an ereader...you have the option to have the book read itself. Not sure how much I enjoyed the story itself though...

★ ★ ★ Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo -Heather Wardell
Decent quick read...nothing too deep but good chick lit for the tub...

★ ★ Suddenly A Spy -Heather Huffman
This was a free eread...there were lots of spelling and grammar errors that were kind of irritiating. The characters weren't developed enough and neither was the storyline. I felt like I could have written the book myself with no research.

★ ★ ★ The Mill River Recluse -Darcy Chan
I kind of liked this book. It was pretty short, started it last night and finished this morning. Main character was easy to get into...plot could probably use more work. Nice little story.

★ ★ ★ A Is For Alibi -Sue Grafton
Pretty good little story...I can see why this author is popular. I will probably continue to read her stuff, especially if I can get it for my Nook at a decent price.

★ ★ ★ My Sister's Keeper -Bill Benners
Decent read...once again though, editors didn't feel it necessary to finish out the book properly so I found the font changes very distracting. The characters were nicely developed and followed through true to character. The plot was good, and surprisedly not what I was expected.

★ ★ ★ ★ For One More Day -Mitch Albom
It was pretty good...really got into the story and character, even without knowing exactly what was going on.

Books From 2011

★ ★ ★ The Family Man -Michael S Patterson
Would make a great movie, but the characters in the book weren't developed enough for print. Ending felt rushed.

★ ★ ★ Take Joy: A Book For Writers -Jane Yolen
Some really good information. My instructor recommended it and it was definitely a good read.

★ ★ ★ ★ This Is Not The Story You Think It Is -Laura Munson
This book really hit home for me and has been an inspiration. I borrowed it from the library but immediately had to buy it so I could mark it up with notes.

★ ★ ★ Me Talk Pretty One Day -David Sedaris
This is the first Sedaris I have actually read as all the other books have been audio versions. It was a lot of fun, but I think I like the way David reads his stories more.

★ ★ ★ Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Club -Laurie Notaro
I liked it, she had some really funny parts, but the character itself (which I am sure is an exaggerated version of herself) grossed me out in parts with all the smoking...but that is just me.

★ ★ ★ Divorced, Desperate and Delicious -Christie Craig
Chic lit through and through....a bit more romance novel than my normal tastes.

★ ★ ★ In The Breeze of Passing Things -Nicole Louise Reid
Interesting plot but the author seemed to rehash the repeat things and ideas too much,...found myself skimmming the last 30 pages just to see how it turned out.

★ ★ ★ The Abbey -Chris Culver
Pretty good plot, a little rushed at the end. Characters were decent.

★ ★ ★ Gotcha! -Christie Craig
Not as good as I thought it was going to be. Stephanie Plum books are much better. Didn't really need the graphic sex, I would just read a professed romance novel if that was what I was looking for. I liked the story line, other than that...definitely chick lit and a fast read.

★ ★ ★ Bake Sale Murder -Leslie Meier
Fast read, quick mystery. Not very deep.

★ ★ ★ This Pen For Hire -Laura Levine
Ditto on the quick mystery, fast read, not very deep.

★ ★ ★ Forever Neverland -Heather Killough-Walden
Interesting take...however I felt like it was a bit overdone...I am interested in reading the next installment to see how it goes...

★ ★ ★ ★ Smoking Seventeen -Janet Evanovich
I always enjoy her Stephanie Plum books...this one was a lot of fun too...unfortunately, I just read them too quickly and then have to wait forever for the next one.

★ ★ ★ 17 Day Diet -Mike Moreno
Good advice so far...let's see if it works...

★ ★ ★ Until Proven Guilty -J.A. Jance
Definitely enjoyed the story and characters, hope to read more.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Help -Kathryn Stockett
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were believable and reliable. I hope that the movie does it justice. I highly recommend it.

★ ★ ★ ★ Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk -David Sedaris
Fun listen (I didn't read this one but listened to it in the car). I love his stuff and this one was not a disappointment. He has a great imagination and way of looking at the world that just gives me the giggles.

★ ★ ★ Can You Keep A Secret? -Sophie Kinsella
Quick funny read...

★ ★ ★ The Story Sisters -Alice Hoffman
I love her writing but this book was another of her dark ones...

★ ★ ★ A Dozen Deadly Roses -Kathy Bennett
Fun quick read....nothing too deep and parts of it were totally predictable...

★ ★ ★ ★ Mile 81 -Stephen King
Great short story!

★ ★ ★ Comfort and Joy: A Novel -India Knight
Was a quick fun read. Not deep. I don't know if I will seek out more from this author or not...

★ ★ ★ Rumour Has It -Jill Mansell
It was a fun little read...nothing too deep but a quick easy read for traveling.

★ ★ ★ Ties That Bind -Heather Huffman
Quick read on the Nook...enjoyed it.

★ ★ ★ One Day -David Nicholls
Enjoyed this book and am looking forward to seeing the movie and if my imagination links up. The characters were interesting but it was hard to see all the near misses they had. So much wasted time and definitely reaffirms my belief that life is short.

★ ★ ★ ★ 2011 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market -Alice Pope
Absolutely terrific reference for anyone interested in publishing in the children's book market.

★ ★ ★ Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club -Gil McNeil
It was a quick read, but the ending felt rushed.

★ ★ ★ ★ 11/22/63 -Stephen King
It was pretty good. He did a good job of drawing you into the characters and it would definitely appeal to a reader that didn't even know anything about the subject matter. King managed to not mess up the genre, cause I usually have an issue or two that creeps up...

These are the books I read the first half of the year. I was in class during this time studying about writing for children, so there are a lot of books here from my research for class. I am not going to do the linking and reviews for any of them except for those ranking 4 stars or better (mostly because there are just so many of them).

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Witch of Hebron -James Howard Kuntsler
Enjoyed this one as much as the first one...hope the author is planning to write more because I want to know what happens next. These would be great movies!!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A World Made By Hand -James Howard Kuntsler
Great book...highly recommend it and its sequel. The characters and plot are terrific.

★ ★ ★ Up From The Blue -Susan Henderson
Enjoyed this one but it was not "up" from the blue...kind of sad but still very interesting and I was into the characters in no time at all.

★ ★ In This Way, I Was Saved -Brian Deeleuw
Liked the story but never felt like the author answered the final question...

★ ★ ★ Learning to Breathe -Alison Wright
Good characters, and interesting look at life and what we learn from it. Almost too much "romance" for me but I liked the other life lesson and plot ideas.

★ ★ ★ The Welsh Girl -Peter Ho Davies
Ending was missing something...felt like the author didn't know how to get from the second to last chapter to last and so it didn't flow.

★ ★ ★ ★ An Architectural Guidebook to Portland -Bart King
Great book that includes a lot of history of the city of Portland.

★ ★ ★ The Hunger Games -Suzanne Collins
Thought this was a pretty good read and am looking forward to the next two books. Would make great movies!!

★ ★ Ice T, A Memoir -Ice T
It was okay...not as good as I was hoping it would be...

★ ★ ★ ★ Catching Fire -Suzanne Collins
Great second book in the series

★ ★ ★ ★ MockingJay -Suzanne Collins
Third book in the series and can't wait to see the movies!

★ ★ Counting Birds -Alice Melvin

★ ★ Rollover A Counting Song -Merle Peek

★ ★ Millions to Measure -David Schwartz

★ ★ ★ Fall Leaves -Don Curry

★ ★ Bang -Norah McClintock

★ ★ Snitch -Norah McClintock

★ ★ The Trouble with Chickens -Doreen Cronin

★ ★ Duck, Duck, Goose -Kirsten Hall

★ ★ Grandma's House -Kirsten Hall

★ ★ ★ Moby Dick -Herman Melville (Graphic Novel retold by Sophie Furse)

★ ★ ★ Tale of Squirrel Nutkin -Beatrice Potter

★ ★ ★ Tale of Benjamin Bunny -Beatrice Potter

★ ★ ★ Tale of Peter Rabbit -Beatrice Potter

★ ★ Lost -Jacqueline Davies

★ ★ The Face on the Milk Carton -Caroline B Cooney

★ ★ ★ The Best Story -Eileen Spinelli

★ ★ ★ ★ The Mixed Up Chameleon -Eric Carle
Great book...love his illustration style

★ ★ Lots of Spots -Lois Ehlert

★ ★ ★ The Very Lonely Firefly -Eric Carle

★ ★ I Wonder Why Lemons Taste Sour -Deborah Chancellor

★ ★ ★ ★ The Truth About Poop -Susan E Goodman
Great book...highly recommend!!

★ ★ Giant Pandas -Gail Gibbons

★ ★ Coral Reefs -Gail Gibbons

★ ★ This is the reef -Miriam Moss

★ ★ Come to the Ocean's Edge -Laurence P Pringle

★ ★ The Seaside Switch -Kathleen V Kudlinski

★ ★ The Artbox -Gail Gibbons

★ ★ Frogs -Gail Gibbons

★ ★ Snakes -Gail Gibbons

★ ★ ★ Someday When My Cat Can Talk -Caroline Lazo

★ ★ ★ Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare -Patricia Polacco

★ ★ ★ Ernest, the Moose Who Doesn't Fit -Catherine Raynor

★ ★ Tweedle-Dee-Dee -Charlotte Voake

★ ★ The Busy Little Squirrel -Nancy Tafuri

★ ★ ★ The Honeybee Man -Lela Nargi

★ ★ Yes We Can -Sam McBratney

★ ★ ★ The Wild Washerwoman -John Yeomen and Quentin Blake

★ ★ ★ ★ The Boy Who Drew Cats -Margaret Hodges
Great story and illustrations, highly recommend...

★ ★ ★ There - Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

★ ★ ★ Nini Lost and Found -Anita Nobel

★ ★ ★ Doug Dennis and the Fly Away Fib -Darren Farrell

★ ★ Tough Chicks -Cece Meng

★ ★ ★ Three Black Swans -Caroline B Cooney

★ ★ ★ A Day With No Crayons - Elizabeth Rusch

★ ★ ★ Pebble: A Story About Belonging -Susan Milord

★ ★ ★ ★ Mudkin -Stephen Gammell
Great illustrations tell the story with hardly any words...

★ ★ ★ ★ Henry The Dog With No Tail -Kate Feiffer
Loved the moral behind this one. Illustrations and story were great!

Mile 81

Just purchased Mile 81 for my Nook...a new Stephen King novella that is only in "e" form and when I was downloading it, I also saw that a new regular Stephen King book should be out next week and since I am a member of the Stephen King Library, I should be getting the book in the mail in a few days!!!

Books From 2009-2010

Since I have mostly been updating my reading on Visual Bookshelf inside of Facebook, I have been very lazy about updating here. So I am doing a two year list I am not sure which books were at the end of 2009 and which were solely in 2010 (Visual Bookshelf doesn't keep track of the date you marked the book as "read").

★ ★ ★ Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson
Loved this whole series, great characters and stories. Definitely recommend.

★ ★ ★ The Girl Who Played With Fire - Stieg Larsson
Loved this whole series, great characters and stories. Definitely recommend.

★ ★ ★ The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
Loved this whole series, great characters and stories. Definitely recommend.

★ That Old Cape Magic -Richard Russo
Didn't like this one much. Plot and characters were kind of blah.

★ ★ The Daily Coyote - Shreve Stockton
Read this one on recommendation from my sis. Really enjoyed the story and experience. Would recommend.

Pretending To Be Normal - Liane Holliday Willey
More for research rather than leisure. Interesting read.

★ My Abandonment - Peter Rock
Enjoyed this book but was disappointed that it is not based in fact like I was lead to believe.

★ ★ ★ ★ The Street of a Thousand Blossoms - Gail Tsukiyama
Loved this book...highly recommend it. What a great story

★ The Accidental Bestseller - Wendy Wax
Basically a quick read...interesting idea but not that great of a book.

★ Consider Lily - Anne Dayton
Basically a quick read...nothing to write home about.

★ The Last Time I Saw You - Elizabeth Berg
Basically a quick read...nothing to write home about.

★ ★ Imperfect Birds - Anne Lamott
Enjoyed this one, made raising a kid kind of scary though.

Shadow Tag - Louise Erdrich
This book was disturbing, didn't like much.

★ ★ ★ Deception: Alex Delaware - Jonathan Kellerman
Big fan of the Alex Delaware stories...definitely recommend.

★ ★ ★ Sizzling Sixteen - Janet Evanovich
Big fan of the the Stephanie Plum books...definitely recommend.

★ ★ ★ ★ Blockade Billy - Stephen King
Favorite author, always love his stuff...highly recommend.

★ Digital Fortress - Dan Brown
Okay...not great.

★ ★ ★ Handle With Care - Jodi Picoult
Pretty good read, but a hard one. Definitely recommend.

★ ★ Polite Lies - Kyoko Mori
Interesting read. Some good insight.

★ ★ Things I Want My Daughters to Know - Elizabeth Noble
Sad but a decent read. Would recommend.

★ ★ ★ Cutting for Stone - Abraham Verghese
Really liked this one. Great characters and story. Highly recommend.

★ Certain Girls - Jennifer Weiner
Typical chick lit..fast read but not very deep.

★ ★ Twenties Girl - Sophie Kinsella
Kind of liked this story..different from some of the others I have read. Would recommend.

★ ★ 27 Bones - Jonathan Nasaw
Creepy, weird characters but interesting plot.

★ ★ The Second Time Around - Mary Higgins Clark
Decent mystery like most of her stories are.

★ Hunting and Gathering - Anna Galvalda
Strange story...didn't get the characters as much as I would have liked.

★ ★ ★ ★ Under the Dome - Stephen King
Loved, loved, loved it!!!

★ ★ Come Back - Claire Fontaine
Sad story to read but eye opening.

★ ★ Out Stealing Horses - Per Petterson
Took a bit to get into it but ended up being a great story. Would recommend.

★ Saving Sammy - Beth Alison Maloney
Interesting story and theory.

Lone Survivor - Marcus Luttrell
Didn't like this one...too biased.

★ Bodies Left Behind - Jeffery Deaver
Decent plot but characters were a bit hard to get into.

★ There Goes the Bride - M.C. Beaton
Chick lit mystery...not that great.

★ ★ Number the Stars - Lois Lowry
Tough read for a children's book.

★ ★ My Enemy's Cradle - Sara Young
Another good but tough read.

★ ★ The Weight of Silence - Heather Gudenkauf
Nice little mystery.

★ ★ ★ The Art of Racing in the Rain - Garth Stein
Loved this book...great read but sad too. Highly recommend.

★ ★ The Thin Man - Dashiell Hammett
Great read!!

★ ★ ★ Columbine - Dave Cullen
Great insight, highly recommend.

★ ★ Almost Moon - Alice Sebold
Interesting story, characters were great.

Lost and Found - Carolyn Parkhurst
Not one of my favorites.

★ No 1 Ladies Detective Agency - Alexander McCall Smith
Cute mystery but not my favorite

★ ★ Bangkok 8 - John Burdett
Enjoyed the story, characters and perspective. Good read

★ ★ Out: A Novel - Natsuo Kirino
Great mystery...enjoyed this one.

★ Unaccustomed Earth - Jhumpa Lahira
Enjoyed the short stories.

★ ★ ★ ★ Scarpetta - Patricia Cornwell
Love all the Scarpetta stories, definitely recommend!!

★ ★ ★ ★ Just After Sunset - Stephen King
Fav author, loved it, definitely recommend!!

★ ★ ★ Compulsion - Jonathan Kellerman
Always enjoy the Delaware stories, definitely recommend.

★ ★ ★ Plum Spooky - Janet Evanovich
Love Stephanie Plum.

★ ★ ★ Fearless Fourteen - Janet Evanovich
Love Stephanie Plum.

★ ★ The Confessions of Max Tivoli - Andrew Sean Greer
Found this to be an interesting idea. Well done, would recommend.

★ ★ ★ Still Alice - Lisa Genova
This was a sad but terrific book. Highly recommend!!

★ ★ Midnight at the Dragon Cafe - Judy Fong Bates
This was a great book. Loved the characters and the plot. Would recommend.

★ ★ ★ The Green Glass Sea - Ellen Klag
Great story with some history that I didn't know. Definitely recommend.

★ ★ ★ Day After Night - Anita Diamant
Historical fiction brought this one to life for me. Highly recommend.

★ ★ ★ Her Fearful Symmetry - Audrey Niffenegger
The author didn't disappoint. Her previous book was one of my alltime favorites. This story was interesting if not a bit sad.

★ ★ ★ ★ Full Dark, No Stars - Stephen King
As always Mr King doesn't leave me hanging. Loved it!!!

★ ★ ★ The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
A great book. Highly recommend. Fantastic characters and plot.

★ The Uglified Duckling - Willy Claflin
Cute book. Read it for my research into writing a children's book.

★ Tuko and the Birds - Shirley Climo
Cute book. Read it for my research into writing a children's book.

★ A Kitten Tale - Eric Rohmann
Cute book. Read it for my research into writing a children's book.

★ The Rabbit and the Turtle/Aesop's Fables - Eric Carle
Cute book. Read it for my research into writing a children's book.

Books From 2008

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.

★ ★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

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.

Books From 2006

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.