The Fire

This is the sequel to Katherine Neville's amazing novel The Eight. It has been over 20 years since the first novel, and I was very excited to buy it, and I re-read The Eight so I had the story fresh in my mind. I was glad I did given where the story picks up. Anyways, I enjoyed The Fire, though admittedly not as much as the original. I felt like she tried to weave too similar of a story to the first, and weave as intricate a story. She succeeded pretty well, and that's why it was interesting to read, but in my opinion it didn't hold a candle to her original masterpiece.

Holidays On Ice

Another David Sedaris book....not near as funny as Me Talk Pretty One Day, but still pretty good. My favorite story was of him working as an elf in a department store at Christmas. That was by far the funniest story in the book and made me laugh out loud. The rest are pretty good - some funny, some creepy. But it's short and if you like David, worth reading.

The Little Prince

I finally bought this book after wanting to read it again for years. I know I read it as a child, knew I loved it, and knew it was a classic. So I wanted to own it and read it again.....and I still love it. It is timeless. I love the original art and it is a poignant story. I love the Little Prince.

The Lost Boy

A Foster Child`s Search for the Love of a Family

This is the sequel to "A Child Called It" which I read and blogged about a while ago. It was really interesting to read the follow up of what happened to him after he got out of his horrible, horrible situation - what foster families are like, what it's like to be in "the system", and how he ultimately turned out. I really appreciated his viewpoint at the end as he spoke of his feelings about a lot of misconceptions about "the system." Like his first, it's an eye opening story, and worth reading.

The Professor and the Madman

Very good read. Historical, interesting, and even a little oddly endearing. I was sad it was over. It was a great story of two men both of whom were integral in putting the Oxford English Dictionary together. One of whom was crazy. Literally. One wouldn't really think a book about the creation of a dictionary would be anything but dull, but even for those who don't love words would enjoy this. Though I'm lucky to just adore them, so that was fun.

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.