In A Sunburned Country

I was simply delighted by my first reading of Bryson. He is a cultivated, cultured author whose extremely well written prose either makes your heart melt or makes you laugh out loud. This was also my first foray into travel writing, another pleasant surprise. The book was recommended to me by a friend because he knew of my love of Australia....the destination of this particular sojourn. While reading his experiences I often became so envious of his journey I would see little rat kangaroos, platypuses, and echidna dance (or waddle) across the page instead of words. The book was full of fascinating accounts, tidbits, historical facts, and anecdotes about this really, really, really cool far-flung land that we are pretty much oblivious to. It really is just a fascinating country. Having been there myself just once I absolutely adore the place, and this if anything has merely spurred me to go back and see more.

The Crystal Singer Trilogy

Anne McCaffrey wrote this trilogy (The Crystal Singer, Killashandra, and Crystal Line) and it's just fun, fun, fun. She has always been a favorite author, and her stories always suck you in. I decided I needed a break from more serious books and picked these up out of my library (which I hadn't read since high school). And they're still good. It's a solid science fiction story that involves exactly what the title indicates - singing crystal. An entire galaxy that is based on technology of crystal that is musically toned and set. So if you want just a fun, fast read, and aren't scared of some sweet sci-fi details then I recommend these.

Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut

Well, this is a crazy book. The only thing I have ever known about this book is that it is an "iconic, classic post-modern anti-war book". So that led me to believe it was a certain type of novel. Well, that's what I get for assuming. It is just that - just not in the way I was expecting. So it was good....a little weird - there are (apparently classic) Vonnegut science fiction elements in it, but I really liked certain aspects of it - like his characters' war experiences, and what happened to them as a result of the war. I also looked Vonnegut up and found that he actually experienced a lot of what he wrote about in that book, which was helpful to know and understand his perspective. I still have mixed feelings about the book, but I'd say it's worth reading...especially if you go into it with different expectations than I did.

Me Talk Pretty One Day

I have had this in my library for some time (based on my brother's recommendation), and it was re-recommended by my friend Nate at work just last week. So I took it on my trip to California and just finished it today. Verdict: SO funny. I enjoyed David Sedaris immensely. The first half of the book was pretty funny, but the second half is what made me laugh out loud not once, not twice, but several times. He is cynical, observant, and has a very unique viewpoint on life. I like the way his mind works, and I plan on reading Naked by him as well.

Eat Pray Love

I really, really enjoyed this book. It kept me interested throughout all sections - I really appreciate people's journeys and experiences in life, as well as spiritual perspectives. I liked her writing immensely, and thought she showed great insight. I would recommend it even if you are or are not spiritually minded - you can take things from it on any level. I loved how she emphasizes the importance of being well-rounded as a person...even in your own unique way. Very good.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

I liked it. It was beautifully, beautifully written (very descriptive), and the story is extremely interesting and thought provoking. It did leave me a little frustrated, because of the situation the characters find themselves in, and because I just wanted the them to talk to each other! It was amazing what one decision can do to an entire set of people - both good and bad. So I recommend it, as it is a very real, touching, but kind of sad story.

Angels & Demons - Special Illustrated Edition

I highly recommend this book. It is entertaining, gripping, and just a great read. I like this book infinitely more than The DaVinci Code (though I really liked that too). This version of the book was particularly cool because it has pictures of every single place he describes - it really makes it come alive. All the sculptures, chapels, even pictures I had never seen of Vatican City. I bought it for my Grandma, and then stole it from her to read! Love it.

My Descent Into Death

This was about a man's near death experience (NDE - I didn't know they had their own acronyms). It was definitely interesting, and like many people that had NDEs had a life changing experience. It was a unique view on what the after life would be like. Though as my good friend Kathy said about it - there is only so many times you can say God is love in one book. I attended a book club where a doctor that knows the author attended, and that was the best part. I had no idea NDEs were so widespread and some of the things that he said about them made me want to learn more. It's fascinating.

The Watchmen

I haven't read a comic in a long time, it was like picking up an old friend....mostly. Just a more mature, more graphic old friend. The word graphic has many connotations, and this filled them all. But I loved it. It is a little dark, but remarkable - innovative and I loved the story and characters. It was not at all what I expected, but I'm very glad to have read it. I'm also frankly very skeptical of the movie - I have no idea how they are going to do it.

Breaking Dawn

*Sigh* Of course I read this, as I had read the previous ones, and I was not disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed it - it's a completely guilty pleasure and just a ridiculously fun read. I really don't know why they suck you in like they do, but they really, really do. She's good.

The Solace of Leaving Early

I read this book in essentially one sitting today. I was captivated by Haven's character development, the story, and the depth in this book. I loved her memoir (A Girl Named Zippy - listed below), and I really enjoyed this, her first novel. She makes small towns appealing...even to me. I loved the topics she covered as well - from religious beliefs and what they mean personally, to how we all deal with various types of sorrow and loss. Very thought provoking, but also still a story that propels you onward, very much wanting to know what happens to these human, careworn, flawed, strong characters.

Sailing The Wine Dark Sea: Why The Greeks Matter

I was very impressed by Thomas Cahill. He makes history extremely enjoyable to read - it comes alive right in front of you. He approaches it in a very unique way, more from various concentric areas of life instead of straight chronological events - which I quite liked. The Greeks were a fascinating people, though they definitely had their shortcomings. So much of what we have today is a direct result of that society and it's people that it's very worth being aware of them. Plus, they have always fascinated me personally so it was fun. I look forward to reading more from him.

A Child Called It

A small book, yet powerful. The experiences of this young child (Dave Pelzer) were horrifying, but that is not really the feeling that is conveyed by this book. It is more about his resilience, his determination to survive, and his thought processes throughout the whole thing. You can't help but be impressed by this young man, and I loved his story, even though it was hard to read sometimes. I think he could teach us all very important things, and I highly recommend it.

The Historian

The author of this book (author's name) is one of the most descriptive, lyrical writers I have read in some time. I very much enjoyed this story. It's plot is totally captivating, and I recommend it even to those who normally do not enjoy stories about Dracula. He is a main character, but mostly through the eyes of those of the other characters. The history revealed in it is fascinating, as is the descriptions of the areas of the world the story centers around. The story is lengthy and a little slow in some places, but if you can push past it, it's worth it. The cover also mentions that it's terrifying and chilling - neither of which I felt, but I may be somewhat desensitized. Still fun though.

Next

I have mixed feelings about this one. I liked the concept, and learning so much about transgenic concepts and really so much more about what we're headed for as a society with all these patents on genes and DNA structures, etc. But I felt the story was a little lackluster and not terribly gripping. Well parts were, but not up to par with the Crichton I have read in the past. I felt like this was more a vehicle to get his point across, which is fine....just different. I have to say that gripping or not, it IS interesting though - and I found there were lots of things I was completely unaware of that are going on in the scientific community. Things that could (and probably will) ultimately impact us on a personal level. So in that respect, I do recommend it.

Cat's Cradle

This was the first book I have ever read by Kurt Vonnegut. I have mixed feelings about it - it was interesting, but really weird. I have a high tolerance for weird, so that really says something. I did like it and its post-apocalyptic nature, though that was really more of a subtext than a major part of the novel. But I did like his style of writing, and I plan on picking up Slaughterhouse Five to see what the rest of the fuss is about.

Night

Everyone needs to read this book by Elie Wiesel. I have wanted to for some time, just never bothered to pick it up. It is a short read, which given the subject matter is somewhat merciful, though I truly loved it. It is a compelling true story of a Holocaust and concentration camp survivor, and it is amazing. The copy I have has been re-translated by his wife, which was pretty neat, too. The forward was inspiring as well, talking about his speech when he won the Nobel Peace Prize. So again, everyone should to read this - everyone should know this very clear, very personal account of this human being who survived.

A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana

This book was positively delightful and charming. It made small town America just seem SO fun, and I absolutely loved being in the mind of this young child. It made me want to be a little girl again, and wish that I had been half as spirited and tenacious as she was. I just loved, loved, loved it. The author - Haven Kimmel, is writes about her own experiences in such a wonderful way - she makes you feel you're right in the middle of those exact experiences feeling what she felt. I cannot recommend this highly enough - it's just a perfect, fast, fun read. Her other book, The Solace Of Leaving Early has also come highly recommended, and I will definitely pick it up soon.

The Witch of Portobello

I picked this up for a couple of reasons, but mostly because I had already read and loved The Alchemist by the same author - Paulo Coelho. I hadn't read anything else by him and I wasn't sure what to expect. I was very surprised....I think I was expecting a similar style story as The Alchemist, but it was totally different. I enjoyed it immensely, it was very interesting and thought provoking, but I don't know that everyone will love it. To explain why he wrote it, Coelho said, "I wanted to explore the feminine side of divinity", and that's exactly what he did. It was fascinating and well written, and I actually loved the section at the end about Coelho as much as the book! His life has been truly one to marvel at, and his personality is so fun and soulful. When asked if he dances (as there is a dancing theme in the book), he said (among other things), "... My soul dances with the angels, and my body dances with my wife." Love it. I definitely plan on reading more of his books...

So far this year...The Things They Carried, Heart of Darkness, Devil in the White City, Water for Elephants

This year has so far been a happy, more consistent venture into the many worlds of the written word. For too long I have let things get in the way of reading and I always miss it. It helps when I found and started with a few gems that have inspired, and have caused many sleepless nights as their covers practically grew into my hands....I simply haven't been able to put them down.

The Things They Carried - Tim O'Brien
This book was written in such a way as to make the Vietnam war almost palpable. I love how Mr. O'Brien writes - his gift of storytelling is extremely refreshing. The stories were often gripping, sometimes heartbreaking, and yet almost oddly matter-of-fact. His viewpoint on storytelling was also very unique - in that it is more important to get the idea and feeling of the story across than be 100% accurate in every fact and detail. This book made it very easy to relate to the young men that served in that awful war, and how they themselves viewed what they were doing, and where they were. I highly recommend it, and would like to thank Darren for doing so to me.

Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
I joined a book club that reads Classics, and this was what I thought the assignment was. I bought it ages ago and just never read it. I liked it, though it wasn't what I thought it would be. I expected something much more....more visceral, I guess. Especially given that it was the basis for Apocalypse Now. But his writing and viewpoints were very interesting. The horrors of the darkness of Africa at that time, and varied meaning and application of the word was what interested me the most. Though I left with mixed feelings about the book, I am glad to have read it.

The Devil In The White City - Erik Larsen
Now this book - this book I loved more than anything I have read in recent months. I cannot stop raving about it. It is written about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair from the perspectives of two very interesting men - the main architect of the fair (David Burnham), and a serial killer that capitalized on the fair (H.H. Holmes). Not only was the story of the Fair and the people involved fascinating, but the amount of historical crossings that occurred over the timeframe and life of the fair was absolutely astounding. Hundreds of amazing little historical tidbits, people, and events crossed the path or were affected by this event. I won't give anything away, so if history interests you even a little bit, this is a book you will love. I would also like to note that his detailing of the killer Holmes was just as interesting, but very mild and handled without any kind of descriptive gore - so don't let that scare you off. Thank you Lindsey for recommending it!

Water for Elephants - Sara GruenThis was a fun, read - very entertaining. Based on the life of circus-folk in Depression-era America, the author wove various true stories and facts together into an absorbing and captivating work of fiction. You come to love the very unique characters, and most especially, the elephant. I loved that elephant, and many of the shenanigans she got up to. I found out in reading the author's note that many of those very shenanigans were pulled off by real elephants, which was as shocking as it was delightful.