New Moon

"Time passes. Even when it seems impossible. Even when each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes unevenly, in strange lurches and dragging lulls, but pass it does. Even for me." (p.93)

There is not much that I can say about New Moon that hasn't already been said. This was my second time reading it (which I almost never do) and it had the same effect on me as the first. I read it last year and some I had forgotten. It's a story of love and of friendship. Stephenie Meyer did an amazing job delivering the emotion of this story. When Edward left, my body physically ached. Maybe it's because I've been there, I'm sure we've all been there. When he returned, I wasn't so quick to forget, to trust again. While he was gone, Jacob was her saving grace. Time passed, as it always does, and he was there to help her heal. Believe it or not, this story transcends time, but I believe that Ms. Meyer has told it in a unique and unforgettable way. (5.0/5.0)

If You're Afraid of the Dark Remember the Night Rainbow

"If you have butterflies in your stomach ask them into your heart" (p.7)

I purchased this book at a professional workshop and just loved the message. The illustrations are beautiful and just eye-catching. I felt the message was similar to the idea of "if life hands you lemons, make lemonade" but delivered in a beautiful way. The only drawback, if there is one is that it the audience that it seeks may not understand the message. However, if you hold onto it long enough, they will. (4.5/5.0)

Anne Frank Diary of a Young Girl

"No matter what I'm doing, I can't help thinking about those who are gone. I catch myself laughing and remember that it's a disgrace to be so cheerful. But am I supposed to spend the whole day crying? No, I can't do that. This gloom will pass. (p. 70)

Although I read this book in middle school, I really didn't have much of a recollection of it. As it turns out, I also don't think that I had the ability to appreciate it as much as I did this time. I don't think I can truly grasp the reality that was Anne's reality but am grateful that she left this legacy for the world to better understand. (5.0/5.0)

The Time Traveler's Wife

"Long ago, men went to sea, and women waited for them, standing on the edge of the water, scanning the horizon for the tiny ship. Now I wait for Henry. He vanishes unwillingly, without warning. I wait for him. Each moment that I wait feels like a year, an eternity. Each moment is as slow and transparent as glass. Through each moment I can see infinite moments lined up, waiting. Why has he gone where I cannot follow?" (p.VII)

Phenomenal, enchanting, a wonderful love story. One of the best books I've ever read. I wish that I could read it again for the first time. (5.0/5.0)

Drowning Ruth

"Ruth remembered drowning. "That's impossible," Aunt Amanda said. "It must have been a dream." But Ruth maintained that she had drowned, insisted on it for years, even after she should have known better." (p.3) (3.5/5.0)

Till Death Do Us Part

I love true crime. More than any other genre. Initially, I thought that because the crime was committed in 1967 and the book written shortly thereafter, that I wouldn't enjoy it that much. Fortunately, I was wrong. The account was very captivating. Additionally, the author, Mr. Bugliosi, the Los Angeles prosecutor at the time, provided an update at the time of printing in 2004, so I wasn't left hanging, wondering what's happened since. (4.5/5.0)

Jemima J

"Not that I'm looking for anyone, I mean, it's me, for God's sake, the woman who never has any boyfriends, and, although I know what a nice person I am, I'm not the most sociable of creatures. I wish I were, I wish I could be more like my roommates at times, but unfortunately my size dictates my social life, and my size is the one thing I can't control. I know what you're thinking, go on a diet, but it's not as easy as that, I just can't stop the cravings when they come, and somehow living on the Internet seems a far easier option than giving up chocolate." (p.49) (4.0/5.0)

Keeping Faith

No quote. Nothing stands out. I wouldn't say the book was a "page turner" but it was very close. It flowed, had good dialogue, interesting characters, interesting storyline, and then BOOM, over. I really felt cheated. It wasn't that it had a bad ending, it just ended. I really felt that storylines were just left. The custody hearing ended and then so did the book. I wouldn't recommend this book, which I rarely say because I think almost all books have redeemable qualities, and this one has some as mentioned above, but overall, I think you'll feel as if your time was wasted. (2.0/5.0)

The Road

"No lists of things to be done. the day providential to iteself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes. So, he whispered to the sleeping boy. I have you." (p. 54) (4.0/5.0)

My Sister's Keeper

"There is way too much to explain--my own blood seeping into my sister's veins; the nurses holding me down to stick me for white cells Kate might borrow; the doctor saying they didn't get enough the first time around. The bruises and the deep bone ache after I gave up my marrow; the shots that sparked more stem cells in me, so that there'd be extra for my sister. The fact that I'm not sick, but I might as well be. The fact that the only reason I was born was as a harvest crop for Kate. The fact that even now, a major decision about me is being made, and no one's bothered to ask the one person who most deserves it to speak her opinion.

There's way too much to explain, and so I do the best I can. "It's not God. Just my parents," I say. "I want to sue them for the rights to my

own body." (p. 29)

My Sister's Keeper came highly recommended and it did not disappoint. Extremely emotional at times. I liked the change in narrator with each chapter. Thoroughly enjoyable. (5/5)

In a Slump

As you can see, I have fallen behind in my reading and my Unfinished list is growing, rather than my Finished list. I think in my rush to meet my goal, I am not finding the right books for me. So, I stopped reading, turning instead to other interests to fill my time and discovered that I am a direct descendant of a Mayflower settler. I then found this book, Mayflower, which covers that period of time, and I find that I cannot put it down. Hopefully, my slump is over! I'm a fan of non-fiction anyway and it has been a long time since I have read a non-fiction book. Looking forward.

The Most Spectacular Show On Earth

"I don't talk much about those days. Never did. I don't know why--I worked on circuses for nearly seven years, and if that isn't fodder for conversation, I don't know what is.

Actually I do know why: I never trusted myself. I was afraid I'd let it slip. I knew how important it was to keep her secret, and keep it I did--for the rest of her life, and then beyond.

In seventy years, I've never told a blessed soul." (Prologue, pg 4, Water For Elephants)

Water For Elephants was a wonderful story. It had me from page one and I was hoping the ending would be as great as the story. I was not disappointed. The story is told by Jacob Jankowski and alternates between present day (at age 90 or 93, he's not sure) and the summer of 1931, at age 23, when by circumstances of fate, Jacob joins a traveling train circus. While the backdrop is very interesting and colorful, this story is so much more than a story about a circus. It's about Jacob's friendships, experiences, and passion. It's a must-read. (5.0/5.0)

Unfinished Business

So far in this reading challenge, I have started a few books that for one reason or another, I didn't finish. Some I still intend to read and others I will not. I realized today, however, that I should also keep track of these. Especially so that I can go back and maybe read them at a later date. This is the post where I will keep track of them and add to it, if necessary, as I go. Then I will link this to the sidebar so that I can find it easily. My list consists of the following:

1) Disobedience--Jane Hamilton
2) While I Was Gone--Sue Miller
3) Pride and Prejudice--Jane Austen
4) The Friday Night Knitting Club--Kate Jacobs
5) The Shack--Wm. Paul Young
6) The Devil and the White City--Erik Larson
7) Mayflower--Nathaniel Philbrick
8) The Reader----Bernhard Schlink
9) Warren Beatty: A Private Man--Suzanne Finstad

Library Loot

Going to the library when you are starved for a good book is like going grocery shopping when you haven't eaten for several days. It results in checking out more books than I can possibly read in two weeks. I even went to two libraries in the same day. Crazy. So, my loot this week is a little optimistic at best. Last night when trying to decide where to start, I became a bit overwhelmed at my choices. I read a few pages of Water for Elephants, recommended by Brooke, and was instantly hooked. The rest of my loot consists of:

1) Keeping the Moon--Sarah Dessen

2) Prom--Laurie Halse Anderson

3) The Friday Night Knitting Club--

Kate Jacobs

4) Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics--

Paula Deen

5) The Total Money Makeover--

Dave Ramsey

6) The Giving Tree--Shel Silverstein

7) Pillsbury Annual Recipes 2008

I may be in luck since Spring Break is next week and I'll be on vacation so I'll have a little more time to read.

Speak

This story is a required reading for Jonathan's 9th grade English class. When he started reading it, he said that it was good, so I read it, too. It is an excellent story and I can see why it is required in so many high school English classes. The narrative style held my captive attention. Melinda is a very sympathetic main character that may, hopefully, encourage teenagers to find compassion for an outcast, understanding that there may be more than meets the eye. It's been awhile since I read a book that was hard to put down, but Speak was just that book, young adult or not. (5.0/5.0)

True Colors

This was the second book that I've read from author, Kristin Hannah. I enjoyed the dialogue much better this time and looked forward to reading each day, but overall, I was disappointed with the story. True Colors is a story about three sisters, Vivi Ann, Aurora, and Winona and their relationship with one another over a span of 20 years. The story has been described as very emotional, but I just didn't have that experience. Although the ending can be labeled as "happy", it just wasn't that satisfying to me. (3.0/5.0)

On Mystic Lake

Okay, I really don't think that I'm in a position to give a bad review. I mean, who am I to judge the work of someone that made it to a point to publish a book? That being said, I can only give an opinion of why a book may not work for me. On Mystic Lake is one of those books. I really loved the story. During the part of the book where the main character, Annie, is taking care of Izzy, the daughter of Annie's two best high school friends, Kathy and Nick, after Kathy's death, I couldn't put the book down. But for me, dialogue is EVERYTHING, and the dialogue in this book was...unnatural. These characters used dialogue that was overdramatic and to me....it just didn't work. On the positive side, I enjoyed the scenery descriptions and as I said, the storyline. I'm going to give this author another chance as I begin my March book club selection, True Colors, also by Kristin Hannah. (2.5/5.0)

Second Chance

I really enjoyed this book. I loved how the author, Jane Green, let us into each character's mind, rather than just the narrator's. I thought that was pretty clever. Old friends reunite because of a tragedy and, in turn, renew their friendships. I suppose because I've had similar experiences, I was really moved by the story. It was well-written, funny, and heart-warming. (4.0/5.0)

Library Loot

I've been in a little reading slump with everything else that's been going on lately, but I finally made it to the library today. I checked out four books and my goal is to finish all four. I'm sure that's usually your goal, but I've been averaging about half of my "loot". I've enjoyed Sarah Dessen so I checked out Someone Like You, I'm on the third in the Harry Potter series, I choose a Kristin Hannah, On Mystic Lake, and Disobedience by Ruth Hamilton.

My book club has chosen True Colors, by Kristin Hannah, for our March book. I've got my hands full for the next couple of weeks! I started reading On Mystic Lake today and I'm enjoying it so far, so I have high hopes for True Colors. Additionally, I love sister stories!

Lock and Key

I chose this book because I really liked This Lullaby also by Sarah Dessen and I when I find a book that I like, I'll try others from the same author. I liked Lock and Key but I was a little disappointed. To be fair, however, it is a Young Adult book and I think that most "young adults" will enjoy it. I felt that the main character, Ruby, really overcame her conflicts too easily, as did the other characters in the story. Fiction beats reality, though, in this case. The story flowed well and definitely kept my interest. It was just more for the younger generation. (3.0/5.0)

This Lullaby

My friend and I were discussing this story and she made the comment that it was hard to picture Remy, the main character, as an 18 year old because of her experiences. I had the opposite thought, that I felt that it was an excellent portrayal of a coming of age young adult, because of her experiences. Because of her experiences with her mother and father, she’s very cynical about love and relationships and determined to keep control of her heart, not willing to take any risks. At one point in the story, I really felt the pain that she’s worked so hard to keep out. She went to the edge of risk and turned back. I have to say that I loved Remy and thought that Sarah Dessen did an excellent job with the dialogue. If you like the Young Adult genre, you’ll love this book. (4.0/5.0).

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I bought this book about 7 years ago for my stepson (he was 7 or 8 at the time) and it has stayed on my bookshelf, unread, since then. I have managed to not read or watch anything Harry Potter, since the beginning. Not because I'm against it for any reason, it's just that I have not been traditionally interested in fantasy or sci-fi. After many conversations with a friend of mine about the Harry Potter series, I decided to give it a try. So, I pulled out this book, dusted it off, and jumped in.

Since I'm sure that I am the only person alive who hasn't read the book, I will spare you the details. However, I will just say that I did enjoy it. It was obviously written for a younger audience than myself but I thought that it was suspenseful and entertaining. I will continue on with the series as I have now become curious how it will develop. (3.0/5)

Next...

Okay, I have to say that I am very excited about my book club's February Pick, This Lullaby, by Sarah Dessen. Everything about it is speaking to me, saying that it's going to be a great story, so we'll see....

I am almost finished with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, so I'll soon be able to dive right in.

Love to Read

Not so long ago, I started a food blog because I love everything food. But I love to read and I love books just as much! My friend and I started our own book club and so recently, I went looking for a new challenge. [As if I need something else to do:)] I found the 2009 100+ Reading Challenge on J. Kaye's blog. Although I will be surprised if I can make it, I'm going to give it the ole college try! I am currently reading my first book of 2009 but have been dragging my feet to finish it, because it's the end in the series and I'm not quite ready to let go of these characters, yet! But, I'm going to get it in gear now that the challenge has begun....

Finished:
1) Breaking Dawn--Stephenie Meyer
2) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone--J.K. Rowling
3) This Lullaby--Sarah Dessen
4) Lock and Key--Sarah Dessen
5) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets--J.K. Rowling
6) Second Chance--Jane Green
7) On Mystic Lake--Kristin Hannah
8) True Colors--Kristin Hannah
9) Speak--Laurie Halse Anderson
10) The Giving Tree--Shel Silverstein
11) Water For Elephants--Sara Gruen
12) The Road--Cormac McCarthy
13) My Sister's Keeper--Jodi Picoult
14) Keeping Faith--Jodi Picoult
15) Jemima J--Jane Green
16) Till Death Do Us Part--Vincent Bugliosi and Ken Hurwitz
17) Drowning Ruth--Christina Schwartz
18) The Time Traveler's Wife--Audrey Niffenegger
19) Anne Frank The Diary of A Young Girl--Anne Frank, edited by Otto Frank & Mirjam Pressler
20) Let it Ride--Sarah Dessen
21) If You're Afraid of the Dark Remember the Night Rainbow--Cooper Edens
22) New Moon--Stephenie Meyer
23) Eclipse--Stephenie Meyer