Jessi began her summer reading for school a couple of weeks ago and wants to keep track of all the books that she reads from this point forward. So, I'm dedicating this post to her so that she can keep a record of what she reads each year. Hopefully this will be fun for her!

1)The Girl Who Could Fly--Victoria Forester
2)A Wrinkle In Time--Madeleine L'Engle

2011 Book Challenge

1) The Secret Life of Bees--Sue Monk Kidd
2) Prince of Thieves--Chuck Hogan
3) Water for Elephants--Sara Gruen
4) The Shack--William Paul Young
5) Blubber--Judy Blume
6) Gone, Baby, Gone--Dennis Lehane
7) Good In Bed--Jennifer Weiner
8) Chains--Laurie Halse Anderson
9) Heart of the Matter--Emily Giffin
10)Nantucket Nights--Elin Hilderbrand
11)Just Listen--Sarah Dessen
12)Go Ask Alice--Anonymous
13)A Stolen Life--Jaycee Dugard

Challenge

Okay, starting fresh this year, once again, joining J. Kaye's 100+ Reading Challenge. I'm hoping to improve on last year's number (23/100)!

1) Weight Of Silence--Heather Gudenkauf

2) Open House--Elizabeth Berg

3) The Last Song--Nicholas Sparks

4) The Help--Katherine Stockett

5) A Reliable Wife--Robert Goolrick

6) Cane River--Lalita Tademy

7) The Last Lecture--Randy Pausch

8) Summer Affair--Elin Hilderbrand

9) Food Rules--Michael Pollan

10) Someone Like You--Sarah Dessen

11) Baby Proof--Emily Giffen

12) Charlie St. Cloud--Ben Sherwood

13) Do Not Open This Book--Pascal Lemaitre

14) The Doctor's Wife--Elizabeth Brundage

2009 Wrap Up

Well, I have to say that I can't believe how fast 2009 has gone by. In January, I joined the 100+ Reading Challenge on J. Kaye's book blog and was able to read 23/100. With everything else that goes on in my life, this is truly amazing. I love to read and I think it's important to continue to make a conscious effort to continue on. I've read some absolutely great books in 2009 and look forward to what's to come in 2010. I hope to get closer to my goal this next year!!

Eclipse

(5.0/5.0)

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)