Books

Sutton by J.R. Moehringer/. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Thin Blue Smoke by Doug Worgul. This was a great book. I have to admit a slight bias because I was lucky enough to be part of a bookclub that Doug was gracious enough to visit and he was as charming in person as his book is. Mr. Worgul develops an array of interesting and realistic characters that I desperately wanted to go down to Smoke Meat to hang out with. I particularly enjoy the philosophically religious bent without the preachiness that often goes with books that deal with anything religious. This book is definitely worth a read and will be under the Christmas tree for a couple of family members.

Wowie...looks like I missed some books!

I haven't posted forever, so here is my attempt to catch up. That is probably an impossibility considering I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday, much less a book I read 6 months, ago, but I'll give it a whirl.

The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner. I always find her books to be fun, and this one was no exception.

The Life of Pi by Yann Martel. I read this for bookclub after reading it years ago when it originally was published. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. If I were in a more contemplative place in my life, it probably would have excited me more.

Helping Gifted Children Soar by Carol Ann Strip. Needless to say, this wasn't a "for fun" book. Informative, though.

Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell. I liked this one more than I thought I would. Not an uplifting read, for sure, but really good.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. Meh. I didn't love this book as much as I felt like I was supposed to. Ditto the next book...

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

My Year with Eleanor by Noelle Hancock. I actually came up with the idea of creating a "doing things that make me uncomfortable" time-table and writing about it. Unfortunately, Noelle beat me to it. And probably did a far better job at it than I would have.

Eldest by Christopher Paolini. this series is Bryn's favorite, so I read it at her insistence. I still have two books to go, but I have liked the two I read.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish. Good book. I am a sucker for books about women's friendships.


Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale. Loved this one as much as the first book.

Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist. Good, inspirational stuff here.

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender. This was a strange one. Glad I read it. Didn't love it.

Fifty Shades of Gray times 3...

A Rare Titanic Family by Julie Hedgepeth Williams. I always want the ending to be different. It never is.

Book Review

Second Chance by Jane Green. Not my favorite book by this author, but I can't say I didn't enjoy it. I liked the idea of friends coming back together and reconnecting after many years so this book had that going for it!

More books

So now that Winter Reading at the library has started up, not only do I get the pleasure of reading good books, I get a shot at wonderful prizes, too!

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nestby Stieg Larsson.
This was probably my least favorite book of the trilogy, but I still really enjoyed it. My apprehension about reading these books was totally unfounded - I found them to be fast paced and entertaining. Because I had been warned, I was prepared for a large amount of sex and violence. There was definitely plenty of both, but it was not as bad as what I had prepared for. I was happy with the way the series ended - glad to see Mikael and Lisbeth come full circle in their friendship.

Explosive Eighteenby Janet Evanovich.
Although it was more of the same (how can in not be after 17 books?), this was another funny and entertaining book...how can I resist Lula and her over-the-top antics. I did miss hearing more from Grandma Mazur in this book, but still enjoyed it. Fast, easy read.

Remember Meby Sophie Kinsella
I haven't read anything by Sophie Kinsella since getting burned out on the Shopaholic series but am glad I didn't pass this one up. Unlike the Shopaholic series, the main character here was likable and had some depth. The premise is a little goofy (the main character has a 3 year gap in her memory after a car accident - she wakes up in a totally different and apparently perfect life), but this book was still a totally fun and light read.

First of the new year

I finished

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson.
I put off reading these books for a long time and now I am wondering why. They are a little dark and more than a little twisted, but I love them.

Here's hoping it is the first of many in a line of good books this year.