The Outlander

The Outlander

by: Gil Adamson

Very good - great writing; reminds me of Cold Mountain.

Set in 1903, a woman, Mary Boulton, murders her husband and runs from her brothers-in-law who are out to capture her.

The story unfolds in a great way. Mary is very young and naive at 19 when she gets married. Life is not what she thought it would be.

P.S. I have started to read 2 other books. I was so put off by the awful nature of the books, some scenes too explicit (get my meaning) for me and others just plain awful. It really made me realize what a VERY good book this one, The Outlander, was. Great writing, great interesting story. This book is a step above.

Baby Shark's High Plains Redemption

Baby Shark's High Plains Redemption
by: Robert Fate

I saw this book reviewed - the reviewer said she was laughing; so enjoying this book; so I got it. It is NOT funny. It is better than ok, but not great. I probably think it was not great because I was expecting a funny book.

It is a detective mystery set in the 1957. If you are looking for that, this is very good. The main character is a VERY strong woman, which is nice. This is apparently the 3rd book in the series. I wasn't thrown off. I was just always looking for the laughter, never found it.

For a detective mystery, I like Robert Crais better, but this was fine in a pinch.

Baby shark - that is a nick name for the main character. She is a "pool shark" and a detective. she works with a man; Otis.

The Watchman

The Watchman

by: Robert Crais

I have read this author before. I like his books. He has a series of "Joe Pike" novels. This is one. I enjoyed it.

Joe Pike is a no nonsense guy for the right. He is hired to protect a girl that is a bit wild. He protects her at all costs. He is well trained, and if find myself in trouble with the mob he would be the guy I would like watching me.

This author also does Elvis Cole novels. They are good also.

The Sugar Queen

The Sugar Queen
by: Sarah Addison Allen

I judged this book by it's cover....and I was NOT disappointed! I quite enjoyed this book. Very sweet, engaging, interesting, a fun read.

It starts out with the woman who lives with her mean mother. The woman, Josey is in her early 30's, I think. She is somewhat unhappy, just trying to make her mother happy. She finds a stranger in her closet (!) that helps her change her life. The stranger helps steer her to a better path.

Then there is another character, Chloe, who is in love with her boyfriend, but feels she must break up with her boyfriend. She is "dogged" by books. Very interesting, yes, I know, it is a bit science fiction, but just let your imagination roam free!

This is the author's second book. I now have her first book on my dresser, Garden Spells. I will read it as soon as I am done with my Robert Crais book, which I am also really enjoying.

Swallows of Kabul

Swallows of Kabul
by: Yasmina Khadra

I found this book in the library in the "New" section. I judged the book by it's cover, thought it looked interesting, so I got it.

I enjoyed it. It was not a happy, go lucky book. It was a bit intense, but what a look inside of Afghanistan! It is a good look, only if the author was authentic and who would know that! This about life in Afghanistan with the Taliban ruling. It was not a pleasant place, nor are they teaching anything to brag about. I enjoyed the learning and by that the thankfulness that I feel waking up in my bed in America with all those rights and freedoms that we have. Let's not waste them.

Read this book for the learning experience. It is a quick read. It is mainly about 2 families and how they are dealing with their difficult lives. You learn about the men and you learn about their wives. You learn of their ideas of love, marriage, sacrifice, religion. I found it interesting.

Can't Wait to Get to Heaven

Can't Wait to Get to Heaven
By Fannie Flagg

Do you remember Fannie Flagg? Mark remembers her from "Candid Camera" in the late '60s. I remember her from "Match Game" in the late '70s. I was completely surprised to find out that she is a writer. And that she wrote "Fried Green Tomatoes" (which I read on the cruise). So when I was wandering through the library I made sure to pick up a Fannie Flagg book.

Great Book!! Ms. Flagg does such an excellent job of telling the story of old southern ladies!. And my favorite part - the protagonist's name is Elner Shimfissle. Elner is a woman. She doesn't really know how old she is, because her younger sister abscounded with the family Bible where her birthday was recorded and Elner just doesn't know what year she was born!


Elner dies at the beginning of the book and goes to heaven. All of her friends are devastated. Elner is such a force for good in her town. The story is told in a wonderfully light manner--you get to see the stories of all the people around Elner--her niece and nephew, her neighbors in town and out in the country, the Sunset Club (who gather on Elner's front porch every evening to watch the sunset). I truly love books that have lots of characters and lots of good development.

The one thing that really bothered me were the scenes in Heaven where Elner meets "her Maker". Ms. Flagg has a decidedly Unitarian view point--God, Buddah, Mohammed--it doesn't matter. All roads lead to heaven and god. That particular world view really annoys me. But other than that I think this was a great book and really worth the read.

John 3:16

John 3:16
by Nancy Moser

I picked this book up on the fly at the library. I figured that it was written by a Christian author (with a title like that) and I was looking for something uplifting. It turned out to be very good. I will find more books by this author.

The story brings together multiple story lines--people who are about to be affected by a John 3:16 sign at a football game. Again, this story is told from multiple points of view and I am finding that I really like that approach. A woman going through the anguish of infertility, a father whose life is completely wrapped around his son's football abilities, the son whose life has been deeply affected by God and a woman who gave up a baby for adoption twenty years ago. Really well written--although it does get slightly preachy every now and again. The story lines are nicely intertwined with one or two very unexpected surprises. Has a very realistic ending--rather than the "happily ever after" thing that you may be expecting.

The Alibi

The Alibi
By Sandra Brown

Sandra Brown is one of my favorite authors. She started out writing historical romance novels, but grew into contemporary mystery/romance. She does a great job of building suspense and creating interesting plot twists. Of course, there is still the romance part. I'd say the plot is about 80% mystery and about 20% romance.

This story is told from multiple points of view, which was slightly confusing at first, but I really enjoyed it by the end. Assistant DA (County Solicitor in South Carolina) Hammond Cross finds himself deeply involved in the murder of a local bigwig. His personal and professional integrity is stretched to the breaking point. The woman is a psychiatrist, and the main suspect in the murder. There are three or four different subplots going on, lots of characterization which I love. The author does a fantastic job of capturing the culture of South.

There are several passages of graphic "romance novel" sex. I tend to just skip over those parts, but be forewarned. I really enjoyed this book.

Undiscovered Country

Undiscovered Country

by: Lin Enger

I just found this book, no recommendation. Then I read the back: "Unaware that his life is about to change in ways he can't imagine, seventeen-year-old Jesse Matson ventures into the northern Minnesota woods with his father on a cold November afternoon....a muffled crack of a gunshot rings out...he races through the trees to find his dad dead of a rifle wound, apparently self-inflicted."

That really intrigued me! Why? It is kind of dark and mysterious, but I figured I would try it. And....I REALLY enjoyed it. The writing was great; a different style. The author never used quotation marks! It is written in first person, from Jesse's perspective. It seems like it would be a dark and sad tale, but to me it was an intriguing mystery. I enjoyed being inside that 17 year old's head.

It was a good mystery, written well. The author tells a good story, interesting characters.

The Heartbreak Pill

The Heartbreak Pill

by: Anjanette Delgado

Here is the story on this book: I like to go to the mall to the big book store and see all their very exciting and tantalizing books. I always have paper and pen and I write all the books down that I would like to buy. Then I go to the library and look for those books. THIS book looked very funny and interesting. The "blurb" on the back is something like, "wouldn't it be nice to take a pill to get over your heartache instead of going through it? Erica has made this pill!" It seemed funny. Sadly, I couldn't find the book at my library! I decided to ask the library to get it. I asked and a few weeks later the library called and said they would buy it!

Happily, I got the book. My expectations were too high. I thought it was good, but the story was different than I thought. It was a bit more crass than I thought.

I thought the story would be about her taking the pill, feeling better, dating, etc. It was about her horrible divorce, her horrible sadness, her deciding to do something about it - she is a scientist at a medical lab that makes a migraine medication. The author is a Latina and she speaks a LOT of Spanish. I felt like I really needed to finish the story because I requested the library buy the book. I hope others at the library like it better than I did. Read the book below this instead, So Brave, Young and Handsome. It was way better.

I am still grateful that the library got it for me. That was very nice.

So Brave, Young, and Handsome

So Brave, Young, and Handsome

by: Leif Enger

This book is by the same author as Peace Like a River.

I REALLY enjoyed this book. I loved how it was written, such great words. I enjoyed the story. It is NOT an action packed book, it is more about how the author writes that I enjoyed.

This book takes place around the turn of the century, I think. There is a little family in Minnesota, husband, wife and little boy. The husband wrote a fabulous book that sold well. He tries to write another book and just can't. He feels frustrated. They meet a man who is living down the way from them and this man takes them all on quite an adventure.

It is about love, respect, forgiveness, choices, and being true to yourself.

Please someone read it, I really want to talk about the title!

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by: Mary Ann Shaffer and
Annie Barrows

I loved this book! It is charming and written the the form of letters being sent to many different people. You see the story unfold as you read these letters.

There is an Island, in the Channel Islands by England that is called Guernsey. This Island was occupied by the German troops for 5 years. This was an interesting part of history to learn about. The people on the island were cut off from all news of the war. The book takes place after the war is over, and one person, Juliet is contacted by someone on the island asking about a book. That starts many, many inquisitive letters.

Here is a quote from the end of the book from one of the authors:
from Mary Ann Shaffer
"I hope that my book will illuminate my belief that love of art - be it poetry, storytelling, painting, sculpture, or music - enables people to transcend any barrier man has yet devised."

Read it. It is worth it. It will make you want to be a letter writer!

Silks

Silks

by: Dick Francis

Not his best effort. Was readable, filled the void, VERY Dick Francis.

It was a fine story of a lawyer, sees things he shouldn't, people beat him up, should he now cower, or do what is right.

Very Dick Francis, right?

If you are a Dick Francis fan, you should read this, but don't buy it!

Belong To Me

Belong To Me
by: Marisa de los Santos


I quite enjoyed the beginning, some of the middle and the end. I did not enjoy the real middle of the book. It goes down such a sad path! Who wants to read a sad book. Ok, a woman dies of cancer. It is sad. I don't want to read about it for 100 pages!

This is a story of a neighborhood in (possibly) PA. Very suburb, folksy neighborhood. The story goes into every body's life, how they think and react to each other. Corniliea and her husband Teo just moved there. She is not working. They just moved from New York, he is an oncologist. They are very much in love. Piper is the neighbor Queen Bee. She acts her part very well. Elizabeth has cancer, a bit unhappy in her marriage. Lake is a single mother, hard worker, smart, a waitress.

I loved the writing of this book. The words were great. I usually do NOT like description, but this author did it amazingly. You want to read parts aloud. How the women interact seems very real. The author is a woman, she gets it right.

The story ebbs and flows. I did not enjoy reading about Elizabeth dieing. But I did enjoy see the lesson play out, "don't judge a book by it's cover". Another lesson, a person may act a certain way, but give them a chance and you may see the real person (better) buried deep inside.

Ok, there is the good and the bad, you decide if you want to read this book.

Dumping Billy

Dumping Billy

by: Olivia Goldsmith

Not so good, just fill dirt. I needed something to read, I was hoping this was good, it was so predictable.

Woman has several failed relationships. Meets a great looking guy, they don't like each other; she more than him. 2/3 through she starts dating him, finds he is great, they have a fight, break-up. The last page, oh, he asks to marry her, she says yes.

There, I saved you.

Chasing Darkness

Chasing Darkness

by: Robert Crais

This is a good author. He has several different characters he writes about. This book is about Elvis Cole (? I think, I suddenly can't remember!) He is a detective.

I like his writing. Good story. Not too violent or scary. I like the main character. Good read.

I need another book by this author!

Hey, did you know there is another/new Dick Francis out there! Kerry is reading it, when he is done, I will read it!

Love The One You're With

Love The One You're With
by: Emily Giffin

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the protagonist. She was so well written, I could hear her in my head! I feel like Emily writes just like a girl thinks, it cracks me up.

This is a story of a young, happily married woman. Lovely husband, living in NYC. Her mother died when she was 13, she has a tumultuous relationship with a boyfriend that she is not sure she ever got over. Those two facts seem to color so much of her life and how she handles herself. It is funny and tender. At parts you want to yell at her to go another path, but that is how we all are, we don't travel in a straight line, neither does she.

It was a good book, I think the best of Emily Giffin so far. You should read it!

Happy Birthday, Tanner!!

To my dearly beloved Tanner man,

If you were the greatest man of Siam

Or if you were a Samuri of Japan

Or if you were the toughest in an Irish Clan

I would still be your greatest fan!

Now you live so far away from me,

We cannot plan to visit and have some tea.

You cannot dust my stairs or swat a bee,

Or pull some weeds for a big phat fee!

But I still love my Mr. T!

Now it's your birthday, I cannot celebrate,

You already did that, and sushi you ate!

You started school yesterday, I hope you weren't late,

You are now ten and the master of your fate.

Please always remember there is one little thing

I've said it before and it is comforting -

Wherever you go

And

Whatever you do -

You're never alone

For my HEART follows you!

Love, Nana

Tanner was born on a Wednesday - He was 4lbs, 13 ozs - - 18 and 1/2" long.

Girls' Poker Night

Girls' Poker Night
by: Jill A. Davis

This is my 2nd Jill A. Davis book. I enjoyed it, mostly, but by the end, I so wish that the characters of this book had a higher standard of morals. I would almost like to write the author and ask her to raise it all up a notch.

The main character is a writer for a newspaper. It is blurbs written about her life and friends. She sees a therapist, we learn about her life, why she has a hard time committing. It is funny and I enjoy her style. By the end, I just want to tell her about the Church. She would be happier.

Where the River Ends

Where the River Ends

by: Charles Martin

Don't read -- sad, sad, book. Only if you have far too much happiness, need to come down a bit, miss the feelings of loss and sadnes should you read this book.

What was the author thinking? Why would he want to delve into this every day.

Husband and wife, married 14 years, happy, her father does not like the husband. She gets cancer, she does not recover. It goes downhill from there!! No up side! Well, ok, at the end, the husband and father finally see the good in each other and like each other, this is at least a year after the wife has died.

I did NOT read this book fully. I was sick of the sadness. I skipped to see the happy ending, found non, started reading it backward (last page, then next to the last, etc.). Finally I understood the story was just sad! That was it for me.

Holly has read this author. Quite liked him. I will try him one more time. Every one of his book cannot be that sad!

Broken Leg Books

While me leg is healing, I am forced to read 3 books at one time....not my forte. But I can't bring a book with me from here to there with my crutches. So:



Breaking Dawn #4 in the Twilight series. I am really enjoying it. A bit too much teenage angst for me, but it is a quick, easy read. That book is at my bed. I will be done soon.



I FINISHED! It was good. If you like the twilight series you will like this book. The author ties up all loose ends. It is a big, long book, but an easy read.

What kind of name is Renesme??

P.S. While watching "The People's Court" the other day, one of the complainers was named ESME!!




At the Couch: The Last Lecture. I have only read a little of this, but I really am enjoying it. Recommend to all!

FINISHED: I really enjoyed this book. Great ideas. Great to think about. He knew how to make life a joy, have fun in the face of sad circumstances.

Read this.

In the bathroom: My Soul To Keep
I just saw this at the library (before the break), I was desperate, thought I'd try it. It is a Christian book, I think. A big movie star gets caught up in drinking and drugs, ends up in jail for 5 years, gets out, acts in local, city things, trying to do what's right in life. Interesting, but compared to "Breaking Dawn", it is a bit slow.

FINISHED! I really enjoyed this book! I enjoyed the Christian take on life. It was a nice change. The book puts 2 projects up against each other. One, regular Hollywood, the other being done by a new Christian group. They begin their meetings with prayer, sometimes a devotional! They pray for each other, care about each other, are willing to forgive and help. If only all the world would begin and end the things they do in prayer, how great that would be! It was also a tiny look into the movie-making world. I enjoyed that too. I would read this author again. Interesting note, the other day, while at the doctor to get my cast on, a woman began a conversation with me about my leg. She asked all about it. At the end, she told, I will pray for you. In light of this book, where they have many prayer circles, I appreciated her comments. It was a way better thing to say than, oh, you are a dork.

Skeletons at the Feast

Skeletons at the Feast
by: Chris Bohjalian

Fabulous book!

It is set during the end of WW2, in Germany. It starts out with a German family, sending off their father and brother to help with the war effort. You see the war from their perspective. As the story moves on you see the war from other perspectives: Jewish man, Jewish women in a concentration camp, English POW. It is very good, interesting to see from all those perspectives. It is about National Pride, turning a blind eye, seeing what is really going on.

I really enjoyed how the author brought all those stories together; weaved them into each other. I highly recommend this book. Please note, there are some sexual parts to this book - read those as you like, or don't like.

The Choice

The Choice

by: Nicholas Sparks

Too predictable. Too sappy. Not his best effort, in fact, hardly any effort.

Girl neighbor, boy neighbor, they meet, amazing weekend of parasailing (?!), motorcycle riding, so they fall in love. But, she is already "in love" with her boyfriend of many years. What to do, she must make a choice. Barf. Ok, she chooses the neighbor.

Years later, married, 2 kids, they go to a concert 2 1/2 hours away. Raining on the way home, he drives too fast, car crash, she ends up in a coma. Years ago she told him that after 12 weeks if she was ever in a coma, to please "pull the plug". Now, he has a choice to make.

Oh, this bugs me on my many levels. Do you want to know what happens? If yes, read on, I am happy to spoil it for you.

He opts NOT to pull the plug. She goes to a nursing home for care. Nine weeks later, she suddenly wakes up and asks for her husband. They live happily ever after. They never discuss how he didn't pull the plug like she wanted. Whatever.

My take away from this book is: don't drive a total of 5 hours to go to a concert if you have to be back the next morning at 8:00 for work, duh! Don't drive too fast in the rain, duh! Your life is more important than being on time. Oh my. Ok, I learned 3 things. I am happy.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

by: Kim Edwards

Very hard beginning. I complained to Candice and Tatia about the sad, horrid start. I kept reading and really liked all the conflict that the author put out there.

A doctor's wife, suddenly goes into labor, terrible storm. The doctor has to deliver the baby himself with the help of his nurse. One baby born, boy, fine. Suddenly, another baby is coming - a girl. The girl has Downs Syndrome. What to do? The year is 1964. The doctor had a sister with Downs Syndrome. She died at 12 breaking his mother's heart. He wanted to save his wife, so while she slept off the effects of the gas, he had his nurse take the baby to a place that kept children like that.

Heart wrenching! What happens? Does the wife remember or know? How does the family survive? How do they all deal with their loss? Ok, I'll tell you - the husband tells the wife that the baby dies! She is so sad. They try to live on. She gives her husband a camera that is called a "Memory Keeper". He loves the new camera and the hobby. He never tells his wife about the baby. The nurse never gave the baby to that home. She couldn't. She took the baby away, moved and raised the baby on her own. The lies in the doctor's family were devastating to them all.

It was an interesting book...the decisions we make...how they affect so many people.

I liked it! I would read this author again.

If you read this book, comment, let's talk!!

Uglies

Uglies

by Scott Westerfeld

This is teen fiction. I don't know where I heard about this. Easy read. Interesting premise.

This book takes place many 100's of years in the future. Everyone is ugly until they are 16, then they have surgery to make them pretty.

Is that ok? Everyone is even. What really happens in the surgery? Are people the same after? I liked it. I am still looking for the 2nd book. It has been stolen out of every library!

In the Time of Butterflies

In the Time of Butterflies

by: Julia Alvarez

I don't know where I heard about/read about this book, but I did, it was on my list, it was in the library, so I read it....barely.

It held my interest because it was about a subject I knew nothing about. It is a fiction book, but it is based on the revolution in the Dominican (Republic). It was a dictatorship. There were 4 sisters, 3 very active in the revolution. The 3 sisters are killed. It is their story.

It seemed long and arduous, as I assume the revolution was, but I didn't really enjoy living through it. I am glad I finished. I can't really recommend it. But I do recommend reading books about subjects that you can learn about. Just find a more interesting book.

How to have that difficult conversation you've been avoiding

How to have that difficult conversation you've been avoiding

by: Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

This book intrigued me too! Some conversations are hard, this book gives real nuts and bolts and examples of how to have conversations.

I did not read every word of this book either. Some sections were boring and did not pertain to me. Read the parts that interest you. I thought the book was good and quite insightful.

Raising Musical Kids

Raising Musical Kids

by: Robert A. Cutietta

I got this book because the title intrigued me.

I did not read every page, it was a skim effort. I read every word of the parts that interested me. I liked the book, very encouraging to keep working at having those musical kids.

The author gave great ideas on how to practice. That was my favorite part. The author has taught school music for many years.

Host

Host

by Stephenie Meyer

I really enjoyed this book.

I am NOT a science fiction fan. The first 50 pages of this book were really hard to me. I just kept reading because Tatia said she liked it and because I have enjoyed Stephanie's other books.

By around page 51, it got really good, I couldn't put it down.

The story is about aliens invading our world. The alien's can only live if they invade a human body. Tatia, smartly, pointed out that the book really is about good and evil. Freedom of choice, or forcing every one to be good and kind. If everyone is made to be good, the world is a much better place, everyone happy, healthy, no money worries.

Hmm, that plan sounds familiar.

I thought the book really showed all our human emotions and how they affect us. Really it is an interesting book. Read it.

Stolen Innocence

Stolen Innocence

by Ellisa Wall

This is the story of one of Warren's Jeff's people. She was assigned, (very unwillingly) at 14 to marry her cousin, who she did not like, he was 19.

To think that this was all going on in the last 20 years and currently! As you Utah people know, these people are all over Utah, many different sects.

Warren's people were raised in fear and guilty. It is very sad to me. I enjoyed the book, glad that this girl got herself out and is trying to live in the real world. I would love to talk to her about what her knowledge is of the LDS church.

Something Blue

Something Blue

by: Emily Giffin

Her books have an interesting twist, in that the titles are not always what you think the book will be about.

Should you read this book; I am not sure. In the end, it has been interesting to me, something to think about.

In the beginning, Darcy, the main character, is selfish and beautiful, which makes for a yucky person. How could you write about someone so selfish, lacking morals? To be with that person day in and day out. She ends up losing it all. And at that point begins to turn her life around. She connects again with a friend, boy, that really puts her straight. I liked that part. I re-read it. That he had the words and the courage to tell her like it was and Darcy listened. It helped her. This was the redeeming part of the whole book for me.

One of the shocking parts was where Darcy finally realized that it was a good thing and right thing to marry someone because you loved them. Not just for their money or position or because you looked good together. That was shocking to me. It made me realize that people out there have different morals, thoughts, reasons for doing what they do. To just go out and date people (meaning have sex) is just fine, it means nothing; it is just what people do. Sex without love, marriage, commitment is not good, healthy or fulfilling. It is lacking (I presume). But to be with the one person that you love and loves you, that you are both committed to is a delightful thing.

I do think the author at some points is a bit too graphic, sometimes her language is not good either. I would like to take a black sharpie and mark a few words out.

So there.

The Double Bind

The Double Bind
by: Chris Bohjalian

Ok, this book was written by the same author as Midwives. A few books down - Body Surfing- that author wrote The Pilot's Wife. I wrote in the Body Surfing review that that author wrote Midwives...mistake.

The end of the review: It was a GREAT book. Quite an ending. I HAD to come and do some research about the book when I had finished. It was amazing, shocking.

The hard part about this book is about the first 100 pages. I liked the very beginning. Then it got confusing, hard to remember about the characters, like the characters. In fact, I was so frustrated and the work in reading that I picked up Baby Proof, during the reading of this book. When I finished Baby Proof, I felt a bit bad about this book, and tried again. I read another night and that was all it took, I was VERY hooked. I got it. If you don't mind a hard start, read this book, then, please, Let's Talk!!

This is a psychological mystery.

Baby Proof

Baby Proof

by: Emily Giffin

I got this book because I thought it was going to be about a couple who has a baby, then sees that it has some difficulty about it. Thought it would be funny, easy.

It is NOT about that AT ALL! Shocking to me. It is about a happy couple that does NOT want children! I enjoyed them. Then, one of them starts to kind of want a baby. The book is all about what happens when you start a marriage with one set of rules, then the rules change. Very interesting. I quite enjoyed this book, where it went, where it finished.

It was somewhat like the Shopaholic books.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

I tried to find a picture, but it's been so long that I forgot how to save it and retrieve it - sorry. Anyway, I'm in the middle (or beginning more like it) of reading this book and I like it so far. It's about twins that are born and the one is a down syndrome child. The father tells the mother that that baby died and so the nurse takes her to raise her herself. Sorry it that doesn't make sense. I'm in the Vegas airport waiting to get back to Salt Lake and I'm tired. Anyway, it's an easy read book and it still has my attention so that's good. I'll let you know the final opinion once I get there. Maybe next year!

Body Surfing

Body Surfing

by: Anita Shreve

I got this book because I have read another book by her, Midwives, which I thought was interesting.

I liked this book. It's tempo was different, the writing was different. It is written from the perspective of a 29 year old woman who ends up being a tutor for a rich 18 year old girl that seems a bit slow. She is to help her to pass her SAT's. The woman has been married twice - divorced once and widowed once.

My library categorized this book as a romance. I guess it is, but I think the Twilight series is WAY more romancie, (yes, I made that word up, but who reads this blog anyway.)

Go ahead, read it!

Nights in Rodanthe

Nights in Rodanthe
by: Nicholas Sparks

Because my last book was SUCH a loser, I had to quickly come up with another book.

It was fine, a usual Nicholas Sparks book. Romantic, sadish, just flows along. It is not challenging, but it does fill the void.

It is about a woman who falls in love 14 years ago, how, when it all happened....romance happens!

Rodanthe is a city in North Carolina? Georgia? Something like that.

Plain Truth

Book: Plain Truth

by: Jodi Picoult

I was VERY excited to read this book. It is about the Amish people. I knew that someone had a baby and that the book was a mystery. I thought it would be about an Amish girl who got pregnant, but would not tell how the father was, mystery ensues.

It was not that at all. It was AWFUL!!

The Amish girl has a baby right off the bat, says she never had the baby. The baby is found, dead in a trash can after being alive. Who killed the baby? It was awful. There was NO thought for that baby. I could not read it, I skimmed through to find out what happened. In the end, it was the Amish girl's mother that killed that baby!!! Oh my! It made me angry. The end of the book was just a sad pat on the back for the poor Amish mother. Gross. The answer to problems is NOT murder! Do NOT read this book. Do NOT read this awful author. I can't imagine sitting down at the computer and writing such a horrible story line. How she came up with it, thought about it, wrote about it, then thought it a great idea to publish it. Gross. Gross. I hope one million people read my review.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found
by: Carolyn Parkhurst

I really enjoyed this book!

The premise is there is a reality show on TV called Lost and Found. It is like the Amazing Race, but with a scavenger hunt included. Each chapter is from a different contestant's perspective.

It was written so well, it was like watching this show on TV. I really enjoyed it

Finally, a book I really enjoyed!

Sarah's Key

Sarah's Key

By: Tatiana DeRosnay

This story is about the holocaust, BUT it takes place in France! I had never heard of this trouble there. Apparently, after Hitler took over France, he had the French people gather up their Jewish people, sort them out, keep them, then sent them off to Auschwitz. This little girl (10) hid her brother in a hidden cupboard, locked up, expecting to return in a few hours. It was a place that those children played. As it turned out, the girl did not come back in a few hours...so the book ensues.

It is an interesting story. I was not happy how the story ended, I would like to discuss it!

It was interesting to find out about these facts that really happened, but the subject matter is not easy, or happy.

I am hoping my next book is happy, funny, easy, uplifting, intriguing!

Lady's Maid

Lady's Maid

by: Margaret Forster

This book was recommended to me by Bonnie Card. Sorry, Bonnie, it was NOT a good book. It did have some interesting parts, information, but after 546 pages, it was a downer!

It is about Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her maid, her courship with her husband, their life together, but mainly about Elizabeth and her maid. It is mostly true - the author says.

It was just shocking to me that the Lady is pretty much treated like a two year old, helped to get dressed, undressed, hair fixed, etc. The maid, for her services, gets paid 16 somethings a year. There was a true caste system in the way they all lived. I found the book sad for those living it, happy for me that I do NOT have to live that way! If you are feeling a little too giddy with yourself, and need to be brought down a tad, read this book about a hard, sad life, a passive-aggressive employer, sickness, death.

Now, I have got to ask Bonnie why she liked it!

Peace Like a River

Peace Like a River
by: Leif Enger

Beautiful writing. I am not sure why it is called Peace Like a River. It is not a fast paced book. It is from the perspective of an 11 year of boy. His mother ran away years ago, his father is an interesting man. He loves his father, brother, sister. Very loving and strong family. It is set in 1962 in Minnesota.

It is about family, love, faith, right, wrong, choices. I would recommend it. I thought the writer really got into each character's voice.

The Next Thing on my List

The Next Thing on my List

by: Jill Smolinski

This book was light, fluffy, a bit dorky, not the highest reading level. I got it from the library, so I just read it! It was fast and easy. Sometimes those are nice books to read.

It is about a girl who means another girl, sadly, the one girl dies and the other girls finds her "List of Things to do Before I am 25". She decides to complete the list for her. The fiction ensues.

It made me wonder what would be on my list....

This is How it Happened

This is How it Happened

by: Jo Barrett

I quite enjoyed this book. Funny. It is present tense, then flashbacks, then present.

It is about a bad break-up, how it happened, why.

It WILL make you want to find the perfect, yummy brownie recipe and eat them.

The Rug Merchant

The Rug Merchant

by: Meg Mullins

I enjoyed this book because it was about a totally different world than I know. The man is from Iran, his wife still lives there. He is saving money to bring her and his ailing mother over to America. He lives in New York City. His wife is back in Iran taking care of HIS sick mother and sending him rugs so he can sell them in New York.

Very interesting. Some sexual content, so beware....just read those parts with one eye open...they aren't THAT bad....hmm, maybe they are.

I enjoyed all the relationships with all the different types of people.