This was a very good book. I'm glad I read it. Definitely a young girl with perseverance. I loved all of the characters in this book. I really didn't know what to expect after reading the back and reading that the girl spent time living in a Walmart store. I even think I'd like to see the movie now. Where have I been? It came out in 2000 and starred Ashley Judd and Natalie Portman.

I usually steer away from Oprah club books as I read Mother of Pearl almost 10 years ago and did not care for it one bit. I thought it was a horrible book. I've noticed over the years too that her books are always gigantic books. I picked up a book from my nightstand (I Know This Much Is True, by Wally Lamb) that also happens to be an Oprah pick and it's 900 pages long - are you kidding me. I'm not impressed. I read for the enjoyment, the escape and pleasure of reading. I read pretty fast and like that I can move onto the next story. Her latest pick is The Pillars of the Earth - guess how many pages - 973! But I did have a girlfriend tell me that she really enjoyed the book I Know This Much Is True, so I plan to start it next - If I can ever finish - Life of Pi......Or maybe I should wait for it to come out in theatres in 2009....

This was a good read. I think for me a wee bit unrealistic. I know people will go to great lengths for there spouses and especially there children - but I hope someone wouldn't go that far. The two main characters seemed to be so hypocritical as well - one to her job and the other to his wife. And one persons overreaction was the demise of someone else. How sad is that. I don't know how you'd live with yourself after that......But a good book all the same!

I did it again. I read another memoir and liked it. I finished this book this morning and still haven't gotten it out of my head. Each time I do something mundane (folding laundry, in my house no less, vacuuming, rinsing dishes and putting them into the dishwasher, changed my clothes for the second time today) I can't help but think how much I take for granted. The other thing that keeps coming back to me is the fact that not a single person helped these children. I'm so glad they had each other though. My thoughts are conflicted as well - there seemed to be a great deal of love for one another. Yet there selfishness was overwhelming at times that I wondered why they ever had kids. My Aunt recommended this book to me and I'm so glad she did - I loved it!

Here's a book I read a few weeks ago.....I really enjoyed it. Just when I say maybe memoirs are not for me I read a really good one. The authors, Claire & Mia Fontaine, who are mother and daughter talk about their journey or struggles through Mia's childhood. It was very powerful and intense. It was so surprising that Mia went from honor student to living on the streets and doing drugs. I loved the honesty and bits of humor thrown in. But mostly it was the mother's desperate fight to save her daughter. She truly traveled the ends of the earth to try and save her. And what an amazing bond they share. Beautiful....

This will not make the favorite list. It was just okay. For me I found nothing enjoyable about it. It was just a book to read. Not even one that I'd keep. Now that's rare! I found it to be mostly outrageous. And so far fetched it was ridiculous. The author, Rachel Pine, appears to be a fairly new author as I could only find this one book that she did on her own. So you be the judge for yourself - for me, I'll think twice before picking up another one.

This book had me wanting to peek ahead to know the ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Yesterday morning I had to come home and finish it before I could do anything else. Which was fine by me as I was cold and couldn't seem to warm up, so I grabbed a blanket and snuggled under it until I was done. I've continued the story in my head on how I want the story to really end - it was really left wide open and that was fine for me in this case. I'm usually frustrated when you get to the end of the book and it just ends, but this one was different. I found myself really understanding her struggles and became very sympathetic to her. Great, great book!.....

I really need to catch up on this blog....I have a big stack of books I've read and haven't had time to post - I'm thinking of just moving to Shelfari . So go check it out!

Interesting......I'm not really sure how to summarize this book. It had far less to do with the recap on the back of the book then anything else. Again a new author for me. I did enjoy the book, but......

Just not sure how the storyline kept getting off track. Or should I say that's my perception of it anyway. So you try it!.....Let me know!

What a great book. A little wacky and a wee bit unrealistic - but just perfect to be absorbed into. The storyline was all over the place - lots of different things going on. But it had the perfect ending, which I just love. That can be so disappointing sometimes. I just love a happy ending - makes the book so worth reading! I feel like I've read this author before but haven't come across it. She has looks of books out there. Someone lent this book to me so I'll have to check out another one and see if I like it as well.

Here is an all-time favorite author of mine. I think I have all of her books. I fly through them and just love them. And this one did not disappoint me! It was a real "who done it" and twisted all around! Just a great over all book. I started reading her books years ago when my mother-in-law handed me one after she'd read it. And I've been hooked ever since. They are all suspense books. But she does have a couple different series of books that she writes. I think the Beaumont ones are my favorite. They are all based in Seattle, and I think they piqued my interest as my sister-in-law was living there at the time. And actually the Brady series are all about Joanna Brady, Cochise County Sheriff in Arizona - my Aunt Kitty should be reading them or maybe they are a little to close to home (or maybe she already has?).....I've read a couple that were pretty graphic and a little scary. But all in all I just enjoy her books - they are comfortable to me....

Oooh! This was a great book. I'm glad my kids are much younger. It should have a warning label for parents with kids in high school. Tough storyline, but so well written. An emotionally charged book. Once again you get the in depth on each person in the story. I had hoped throughout the book that the families would overcome there anguish and restore the bond they once had. There is so much more to this story than the "love story" the cover quotes. There is just something about her writing that makes you feel like you are a part of it all. I can still see the visual I had while reading this book as if I were a neighbor and living my life with them (and I finished this book on the last day of July and I can still see it all so clearly).

I think this blog is becoming a bit of an oxymoron for me. I want to talk about the books I've read - yet if I say to much would anyone really want to read them. I think that's what started it for me is I wanted someone else to read it too and then talk to me about it. Is that possible? I guess I need to form a Book Club, in my spare time of course.

As you can see from the cover "Wickedly Funny" was the review from People magazine.....Maybe I should avoid books with that review. This book was alright - just not worth writing home about!

The storyline was again not a great topic. Do I really want to read about someones reasons for having an affair with 3 different men for a newspaper article she's doing....And it was another "British" book, they are pretty foul mouthed - I wonder if that's the norm. So decide for yourself and let me know what you think!

Okay you know I've gushed about all of the others and I'm sad to say I was not as excited with this one....Maybe it was the storyline of spousal abuse that I just couldn't get. Or the time it took me to read it. I had started it before we went camping and didn't finish until after we got home. We were so busy and I guess I was too tried after days filled with play I couldn't stay awake to read at night. I thought the writing was wonderful as always - and her topics are all about relationships. I know she had her facts correct and was right on! Because each time the woman was abused by her spouse she blamed herself, found a reason for it to be her fault. And I know I've read that to be true. I had a passion of dislike for the husband. He was arrogant and so full of himself. Not an attractive personality for me. So decide for yourself. I think she's an amazing author and I believe I've said her story lines are all tough ones - so know that going into it....

I'm feeling the pressure here to get the books up that I've read in recent weeks.....Is that really necessary? I'm trying to stay in order but can't seem to stay up with it - considering that I finished a book on Friday, then one on Saturday and another one yesterday.....And I still haven't gotten the ones I read at the cabin up here! Yikes. I realize this is no contest and I'm only doing it for myself - I should be a little easier on myself. But I do find myself reflecting on my post as soon as I put the book down - so I'm not ready to give it up. I need to update the other blog to, I have lots of pictures to upload! I've been keeping up with priorities around here. There are only 3 weeks and 1 day until school starts and I'm taking all the time I can get with my kids seriously.....

Okay so on to this book I read - It was good, not a book I read through. It laid open for sometime, picked up sporadically here and there. The first book I read of Susan Wiggs was my favorite summer read of last year - Summer at Willow Lake. That was an awesome book. I've also read The Ocean Between Us and Lakeside Cottage - they were equally as good. I had originally bought Summer at Willow Lake at Costco and had gone to the used book store to find more as I liked it so much and was a bit shocked to find myself in the Romance section - Yikes! I hope no one saw me..... I don't think I've picked up a "Romance" book since before High School. I had a friend that lived down the street from me who's mother read all of the Harlequin Romance Novels - my girlfriend and I would read them after she discarded them - and I can't say I've read one since. Even at that young age I'd have to say they were a bit repetitive and somewhat boring.....Maybe I should reconsider my choices - the romance section had it's own room - could I be missing out on something......?

Another great book.....I had fun on vacation just grabbing the next book. Of course it's going to take me a while to get them up here. This was a very British book to read. And they say the darnest things. Every thing is bloody this, and bloody that. What does that mean anyway? It was funny in a way and then sometimes irritating. I was reading the sentences out loud a couple of times to my sister and we'd laugh a bit - thinking of course why? I picked up another book right after this one and it was written the same way, so I put it back down again - I couldn't do two in a row that way. I forget now who the author was on that one. My sister has read some of Jane Green's other books and she's promised to pass on to me. So we'll see how I like the other ones. I really liked how this book played out.

Awww.....Finally! I can't remember now when I read 11 but I'm so glad to continue the story. I may have to check 13 out from the library as I did 10. I just don't think I can wait until next summer to read 13 in paperback - when it just came out in hardback......

This is a great (light) series. The Stephanie Plum saga if you may. A bit unrealistic, which is fine. I think the thing I enjoy the most from this series is the fact that I have a smile on my face nearly the entire time I'm reading it. If you haven't started these books you should - and you have to start from the beginning (One for the money). The author, Janet Evanovich has a great website also, to stay on top of the action if you need to. She has even starting having contests to name the next books. She has some books that she wrote years ago as well that she is reprinting. I've read them all I believe - the Full Series - Full House, Full Tilt, Full Speed, Full Blast, Full Bloom, Full Scoop, and Metro Girl, Motor Mouth, Manhunt, The Rocky Road to Romance, Love Overboard.....too many to name I realize. But I have them should you want to read them!

I'm getting behind on my posts......And I was doing so good for a little while there! I finished this book on Tuesday and of course liked it - Stuart Woods is an all-time favorite of mine! This was a quick read and very enjoyable - sometimes it's nice to take a break from heavy, emotional stories. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that this was the 2nd book for the main character "Ed Eagle". The first time I read about that character was in Santa Fe Rules, which as I stated I read a long time ago - didn't really matter that it was so long ago. It was definitely a "who-done-it". Lots of twists and exciting to see if they'd come out on top. If you haven't picked up Stuart Woods before - you should! This will be my last post here for about two weeks as we leave tomorrow until the 15th. But I bet I'll have lots to post when I get back......

Here is a book I finished on Sunday. It was another great read by James Patterson. It was the (5th) in a series and I've enjoyed all of them so far. I wonder sometimes when reading books in series if the writer will be able to keep the anticipation going! While I'm enjoying reading this series I'm not stalking the shelves waiting for it to come out like others that I read - like the fact that Janet Evanovich's "Twelve Sharp" was released on June 19th......

But this book like the others have always had the mystery of "who done it", which I really like - because I like to guess and see if I'm right at the end! Which I have to say in this book I was tricked towards the end as it ended up with two different bad guys I guess you could say. The 6th book is out now in hardback, I guess this time next year I'll be reading it......

Another great book! I was having a hard time in the beginning as the book seemed so familiar to me. I searched my book selves looking for the book, sure I'd read it before. And after doing a little research on the Internet I came across this and it all made more sense to me. Of course, I'd seen the movie on the Lifetime Movie Network. It's been a few years since I've seen the movie and as I recall now - the book is different. I've always been a bit intrigued by the Amish and have a couple of Amish cookbooks. I don't know where the curiosity comes from? And now after reading this book I have more questions. I love the idea of family and community - but not the idea of shunning. If your child choose a different path then yourself how do you live your life as if they never existed? And to punish yourself for not doing a good job of raising your child if they choose another path? All very interesting. I'd like to learn more.

I can't believe it, I stayed up until 2 am to finish this book last night (or this morning). And then of course I laid there thinking about it until sunrise. Imagine waking up one day and finding out your whole life is a lie. It was very interesting how the story played out. It wasn't the complete ending I had expected - I loved the shocker at the end. She really has a way of changing the course of her story right at the end. It was most excellent. I'm having a hard time finding her books at the used book stores, I'll have to hit a couple of other ones too. I did find this at Target the other day - but $12.00 is too much to spend on a book! I guess I need to search online too!

Now here's a good book. It's a story about a young women who overcomes heartache and loss. She ends up finding herself and what she wants from life. I love the main characters personality. She uses sarcasm and humor to deal with things and is very funny. Of course she has a dysfunctional family. But she has great friends too! I had happy tears at the end. It's a perfect summer book to read - easy and quick.

I'm really glad I read this book. It made me appreciate the simplicity of my life and marriage. This was a very bitter sweet book. With lots of twists and turns and ups and downs - a real roller coaster ride! It had characters to like and dislike. I'd never make it in a town like Crystal Springs! While I was happy with the outcome - too many people were hurt, too much deception. Good thing it was only a book - I'd for sure recommend it, it was still a good read! On a side note - the author Cassandra King I noticed is married to novelist Pat Conroy.....

This was an interesting enough book. It was a book that had two story lines, though neither really relating to the other. One storyline was a historical fiction - happening back in the late 1800's. The other more present day with the main character researching the first storyline for a photographic story she's doing for a magazine. And the ending was just sad and left me with the feeling of why? I guess when I think back now dysfunction comes to mind. Not a very interesting topic. It wasn't heavy with emotions - I shed not one tear - just a bizarre story. Okay - moving on..... This was also made into a motion picture back in '02?! Huh?....

Stuart Woods is another one of my favorite authors. They are always easy to get into. I have a handful of books that I've started over the past month or so and have struggled getting into them. So I was looking for something I knew I'd get into and just happened to find this older book at Costco right before Memorial Weekend. I have a short list of his books that are older ones that I haven't tracked down just yet. From his list of books it appears I've only got two more to find: Run Before the Wind and Deep Lie. I enjoy these books mostly because they are series. He writes the Stone Barrington series and the Holly Barker series, which are both really good - always some excitement! And now he has gone back to some older books and started two new ones - the Will Lee and Ed Eagle series. The Ed Eagle series is very new and starts with Santa Fe Rules which may be the very first book I ever read of his in the early 90's. It looks like the second book came out this past fall so I'll wait for it in paperback. And the newest Stone Barrington book just came out a few months ago so I'll have a longer wait...... A couple of my favorites of his are Under the Lake and Palindrome. I've not read a bad book from him and can always count on him grabbing my attention!

Here is a book I finished a month or so ago. I really liked it. It had a lot of funny parts to it. Some to make you blush and some to make you cry. Not a big boohoo cry book. It was really more comical than anything. Just a crazy storyline. The main character was a wee bit neurotic. It was a book about mother/daughter relationships, friendships, etc. But she was a great friend and super mother. Connie took chances and came out on top for sure! I'll recommend the book to you if you don't embarrass easily.....I read another one of her books called "Annie Freeman's Traveling Funeral" and it was really good as well. I started "The Elegant Gathering of Snow" but put it down and haven't finished it. I'll have to drag it out again and see about finishing it. It was a strange book, maybe I'll start over and get through it - must not have been in the mood to finish it before - if I remember correctly it was slow and just didn't grab me into it. But I'll try again!.....

This was a great book. It had a great twist at the end. It was one I had a hard time putting down. I was racing to the end. It did leave me somewhat baffled.....and now I realize that I can't really finish that sentence or you'd know what happened. And I don't want to spoil it for you! It was the perfect start to my summer reading - what will I read next. What I have on my nightstand right now that I've started and put down for something else are: The Sunday Wife, The Weight of Water, Cane River, Time Traveler's Wife, and the I just bought the 5Th Horsemen.......So anyway - if you like James Patterson - you'll love this book!

Maybe I just didn't get it....It's one of those books where I was wondering why I was reading it. I did find these reviews. And they are definitely different from my own. Although only 2 people took the time to make a comment - maybe that says something. For me I don't enjoy a book that uses bad grammar. Like this sentence "I'm coming over there and see about you. Tell me the address." It was like this throughout the book - so I have to think it was meant to be and not just missed errors. And maybe I'm also not a short story kind of person. I felt left in the dark to my own imagination - sometimes not a bad deal I suppose. But really the stories seemed unfinished. So I won't be recommending this book to anyone. Though if you've read it I'd love your feedback. This is one of the books I grabbed out of the back of my dad's pickup one day when he stopped by after his weekly pickup at the Chico Library. He then takes them to the Orland Library for their bi-annual book sale. Maybe the person who buys it will enjoy it..... I know Kyle is enjoying one of other books I grabbed out of the truck - Tom Sawyer Read Aloud. That is when he's not reading us Young Cam Jansen and the Substitute Teacher Mystery. I'm looking forward to reading with my kids this summer.....!

Now this was an absolutely great book! Wow what a story line! Jodi Picoult is a great author. This was the first book I read of hers and I'm hooked! This was a truly touching story. It's a story about a 13 year old girl who wants to be medically emancipated from her parents. The story is very well written and could be your neighbor. I really felt like I was there living it with them. It was definitely an emotional book. So have your Kleenex handy! The author really gave you viewpoints from all around - all of the characters weighed in. I love the detail that she includes in her writing - it really helps get you immersed into the book. I'm going out there again with the 5 stars. I lent this to my sister immediately and hope she's enjoying it as I did...

This was a great book. Right down to the last sentence. This is a new author for me and the second book of hers I've read. And I've enjoyed both books and am looking forward to reading more of hers. She really writes well. The books reflect a lot of research - you can tell in her writing that she has really immersed herself into it. Both books I've read have been about difficult social story lines. This book had lots of characters with a long history in a small town. And the more you read the more you realized they were all woven together. Although I have to say it was the very last paragraph that did it for me. Throughout the book I kept saying to myself what about that and wondering why it was not brought up as a possibility. And there at the very end it spelled it all out there for you in a single sentence! I'll throw myself out there and give it 5 stars!

This morning I finished True Believer and just loved it....And then I finished At First Sight a couple hours later! I only discovered Nicholas Sparks this past summer when my sister gave me "The Wedding" to read. Of course I couldn't start reading that without going back and reading "The Notebook". I had not done that as I'd seen the movie - which I loved. I'm always so disappointed when I do that, this was definitely the exception. Actually I guess it's the other way around, the movie is always a disappointment when you've read the book! Again - not in this instance. So I've now read all of his books and have to say he's a favorite for me. His books are so easy to slip into. For me True Believer was fun to read as it had a sequel in At First Sight. I enjoy sequels for that reason - you get the rest of the story. I'm anxiously awaiting the release of Twelve Sharp from Janet Evanovich for the same reason - coming June '07! Yeah!

So the rest of the story...I have to say I was surprised and a little miffed with the ending. Not what I was expecting. At First Sight had me in tears at the end. Though they were mixed tears - full of sadness and joy. I'd absolutely recommend them! And I've already started The Sunday List of Dreams....

I just came home from the Chiropractor and found myself sitting in the car reading the last few pages of this book by Anita Shreve. I just bought the book at Costco a week or so ago and thought it was a new book. But it turns out it's actually a book she wrote back in 1989, her first novel. Which I think is interesting because I read The Pilot's Wife years ago and didn't care for it that much. Maybe I should try it again. This book was good. It's hard to recommend a book that has a difficult story line. It wasn't graphic in anyway, just a difficult story. And of course the ending was wonderful and that's a great thing. That's what I think about now that I've finished the book. Actually wanting the rest of the story. So when a book grabs you that way I think it's safe to say it was a good one...

Well by the title I had expected something else - but knowing it was James Patterson I should have known better! I really like him as an author. I've read nearly all of his books. This one was good - but somewhat predictable.... I force myself to wait for books to come out in paperback as they are so much easier to read in bed - and so much better on the forehead! I was really tried last night and must have dropped the book 3 times on my face before I gave up! And then ended up finishing the book in the wee hours of the morning when I couldn't sleep. So good book.....3.5 stars!

Here are some thoughts on a book I read a while back and posted on my other blog...

I've been having thoughts lately of writing - maybe this will be the starting point. My thoughts on writing have stemmed from all of the reading I've been doing lately. Not necessarily reading more than usual, which is probably on average 4 to 5 books a week, but it's gotten me thinking about what it takes to write a book. Could I do something like that? I've read a couple of memoirs in recent weeks (not my usual) - one by Nicholas Sparks, which I found to be a very enjoyable book. And the other by??? Ah, Augusten Burroughs, Running with Scissors. I've tried to erase it quickly from my mind as I found it to be completely vile. Ironically it's about to become a major motion picture starring Annette Bening and others. And it was also #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. How can that be? Am I the only one who didn't get it? I found myself turning the pages and actually saying out loud "Why am I reading this book". I felt obligated to finish it as I had started it. Which is just crazy, no one was holding a gun to my head or forcing me to read it. And even more crazy was each time I'd finish a chapter I would go to the back of the book and re-read the reviews, I guess to try and encourage myself to keep reading. The one review I read over and over described the book/author as "Wickedly, ridiculously funny". I could not for the life of me get that. It was truly disgusting. Maybe I should stick to my mystery, thriller, and happy books and steer clear of the memoirs....

I just finished reading this book by Lisa See and it really left me with a feeling of appreciation. It was a book about friendship but also about a very different culture. I learned so much from this book that I had no idea ever existed. There were many parts of it that were incredibly cruel, yet is was continually passed down to each generation. I had a hard time in the beginning because there was so much I didn't understand. And then when I got about a 1/3 of the way into it I couldn't put it down. I'd recommend you read it. I'll give it a 4.5 on a scale of 1 - 5, 5 being best!