My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Genre: Adult Fiction
Audio book

All her life, 13-year-old Anna Fitzgerald has helped her older sister Kate fight leukemia. Anna has provided platelets, bone marrow, and even stem cells to ensure Kate's survival. But when their parents ask her to donate a kidney, Anna has had enough. She enlists the aid of a lawyer and announces her intention to sue for control of her own body. Although she dearly loves Kate, Anna stands her ground, even as the drama builds toward a shocking climax.

I listened to this books as an audio book, and found it gripping from the first words. The circumstances of this story would normally have me ducking my head and running for cover. I try to steer very clear of anything that would deal with the hard parts of parenting - any kind of cancer is something I would naturally run away from. But due to the lack of audio books at my library, and the fact that I love this new past-time while I'm at work, I decided to give it a try.

Jodi did not disappoint - and I mean that on many levels. I am a big fan of character development. I love feeling like I know the characters inside and out when I'm reading books. I loved all the details, all the stories - many stories - weaving into one big story. I felt the story was about as accurate and real-to-life as a fiction book can get, as the topics, the characteristics and the entire subject is something that could actually happen in today's society. She did not disappoint also in the fact that, as I expected, there were very tender, hard areas of this book that, as a mother, I did not like to open up and think about. I personalize everything as much as I can, and being a mother - I think of my children. That is what made this book hard to read as well. The synopsis is not lying about the "shocking climax," and I believe even with its wild twist at the end - this books is wonderful and worth reading (or listening to).

The Fever Series, Dead until Dark, Sweet Ruin

I am so behind on updating this page. I've read several books in the last month or so, just keeping busy enough not to stop and blog. So here is a list and synopsis of what I've read:

The Fever Series by Karen Moning

DarkFever: MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands….

Enjoyable - the characters were likable, but I found MacKayla to be a little whiney and annoying at times. Too girly, legally blonde type. But Jerrico Barrons on the other hand.... But it was enough to get me wrapped in the Faerie world and wanting more. One thing you might want to understand is, Karen Moning is a romance writer turned fantasy writer..so these books have a little bit of eroticism in them, but honestly it's the undertone of the entire book, and it keeps it going as well.

BloodFever: I used to think my sister and I were just two nice southern girls who'd get married in a few years and settle down to a quiet life. Then I discovered that Alina and I descend, not from good wholesome southern stock, but from an ancient Celtic bloodline of powerful sidhe-seers, people who can see the Fae. Not only can I see the terrifying otherworldly race, but I can sense the sacred Fae relics that hold the deadliest of their magic.
When my sister was found dead in a trash-filled alley in Dublin, I came over to get answers. Now all I want is revenge. And after everything I've learned about myself, I know I have the power to get it....
MacKayla Lane's ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed on Ireland's shores and was plunged into a world of deadly sorcery and ancient secrets.
In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh-a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over both the worlds of the Fae and of Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and irresistible men: V'lane, the insatiable Fae who can turn sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman, and the ever-inscrutable Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious.
For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them....

Better than the first book...was ready to pick up FaeFever the minute I put Bloodfever down.

FaeFever: The New York Times bestselling author of Darkfever and Bloodfever returns to Dublin’s Fae-infested shores in a bold, sensual new novel. Hurtling us into a realm of seduction and shadows, Karen Marie Moning tells the enthralling tale of a woman who explores the limits of her mysterious powers as she enters a world of ancient sorcery—and confronts an enemy more insidious than she could ever have imagined.

He calls me his Queen of the Night. I’d die for him. I’d kill for him, too. When MacKayla Lane receives a torn page from her dead sister’s journal, she is stunned by Alina’s desperate words. And now MacKayla knows that her sister’s killer is close. But evil is closer. And suddenly the sidhe-seer is on the hunt: For answers. For revenge. And for an ancient book of dark magic so evil, it corrupts anyone who touches it.

Mac’s quest for the Sinsar Dubh takes her into the mean, shape-shifting streets of Dublin, with a suspicious cop on her tail. Forced into a dangerous triangle of alliance with V’lane, an insatiable Fae prince of lethally erotic tastes, and Jericho Barrons, a man of primal desires and untold secrets, Mac is soon locked in a battle for her body, mind, and soul.

As All Hallows’ Eve approaches and the city descends into chaos, as a shocking truth about the Dark Book is uncovered, not even Mac can prevent a deadly race of immortals from shattering the walls between worlds—with devastating consequences.…

Should I say the best yet? Or not? At the end the book slipped into an erotic nature that I personally thought was a bit much (for my taste, others would likely disagree with me)...but the story keeps me going. Wanting more. So alas, I'm in the middle of a series, and have decided I DO NOT LIKE series...because I want the story ended. And it's not like Karen can give you any resolve, she stops her books right in the middle of the story. At least with Twilight everything had an ending to the point where you were pretty satisfied for the time, the imminant danger was gone even if there was more lurking ahead. But between the books of the Fae Series...it's like the longest commercial break ever, leaving you at a point where it MUST go on...but won't for at least a year!

Dead until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life--and one of her coworkers checks out...Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea. A fun, fast, funny, and wonderfully intriguing blend of vampire and mystery that's hard to put down, and should not be missed.

Yet another attempt of mine to find a replacement for the Twilight series. It was an okay book, but I can honestly say that I'm not "dying" to go and get the next book of the series. It was entertaining enough. The extra twist of her boss (which I won't give away in case you haven't read it) was a fun one, although you are given enough foreshadowing to know something is up. But the characters just weren't near as relatable as I like. I didn't wish that I was Sookie at any point, nor was I overly attracted to Bill. I don't know - he just didn't possess enough "man" under the vampire for me to really get into him.

Sweet Ruin by Cathi Hanauer

Thirty-seven-year-old Elayna Leopold used to be a New York magazine editor, until she and her young family moved to suburban New Jersey. Two years ago, the death of an infant son sent her into a deep depression---a darkness that begins to lift in the company of a handsome, unattached neighbor. As she fights yearnings that could destroy everything that gives her life shape, a threat to her young daughter's welfare emerges from an unlikely source, throwing Elayna's questionable morality into stark relief---and forcing her to make choices she never dreamed she would have to make.

This is the first audio book I've ever listened to. At work we are allowed to have an IPod, as long as it's kept quiet. I've been missing out on reading books, so I got this ingenious idea to listen to them instead. So I went to the library and searched through our very limited books on CD and found this.

I really enjoyed Sweet Ruin. Elayna having gone through one of the most difficult things I can imagine, is struggling to come out of her depression and resurface into the world, only to find that she is seeking passion, to be loved, to feel loved. There are parts I can relate to in the story, such as making decisions for her daughter and reasoning out scenarios of what is good or right or okay for her 6 year old. And what is right for herself as well. She is just trying to begin to live again while her husband is shut up in an office working long hours, and barely has time for her. Cathi's writing style is beautiful. I know in the past I've mentioned that I prefer character development over very potent descriptions - but for Sweet Ruin; the descriptions, the language - which is poetic, is what make this story so good. The character development is very strong as well. You can feel the emotion, and the love, and the hurt and betrayal of each character. This book is simply written beautifully!

Twilight - the movie

I went last night and went to MY most anticipated movie ever. I have never sat and waited on a movie like I have waited on Twilight. I was literally nervous and anxious as we were sitting in the theater waiting on it to start.

So how was it? I'm still figuring that out in my head. On one hand, I can't get it out of my head. I keep replaying scenes over and over again trying to hold on to every minute that I can. On the other hand I wish it was better. I honestly didn't like how hard Rob Pattinson played Edward. I understand his reasoning; vampire tortured by love and by blood lust all in the one lovely person known as Bella Swan. Kristen Stewart did great. She was a little overly serious too - but it worked. They were SPOT ON on the kissing scenes, that could not have been done any better. The special effects - well they had us laughing at some points, but with a bottom of the barrel budget, that was pretty much what I expected.

My husband, who has not read the books and is unable to hyper analyze every little detail of the film like I was, has asked me a million questions since we got out of the movie. So by that, I think it's safe to say it really was a good movie. I'm over analyzing everything. Some scenes I wish could have been there that weren't: The scene where Jessica is asking Bella a million questions about Edward after their "date" in Port Angeles. And of course, Edward listening in. That would have really played up Jessica's character a little more, and it would have set the bedroom kissing scene up a little better too, because there would be a little tension of Edward knowing Bella really wants that physical contact but understands how her situation is not that of a normal "teenage love" situation. I would have liked to of seen some of the stuff from Midnight Sun thrown in, more specifically the scene where Alice clues Edward into the fact that he is falling in love with Bella - because he is utterly clueless.

I want there to be more. I told Justin, I want MORE. I want to see the rest of it, even though I'm pretty sure they may stop short at Breaking Dawn - but I'm not finished. I would like to see more of Alice, and I want to see Jasper's character come out of his shell. My husband wants to see the werewolves, and was pretty disappointed when Jacob didn't phase. I was hoping they would do one phasing scene - the dream that Bella has after the beach trip to La Push, but Jacob didn't elaborate on the Quinton tribes tradition enough in the movie for that dream to of made any since.

I think what I want the most is for Rob's acting skills to sharpen up a bit. This really IS his first major movie production, and I hate that I say that, because of the last few months of following the Twilight media, and having watched dozens of Rob Pattinson interviews, I have come to like Rob as a person. From his interviews, he seems like a really down to earth, really awkward person. He's not really into this fame, but taking it as it comes, and in every interview you can tell how seriously ...just awkward he is. But the answers he has to the questions are pretty funny, and he says some of the weirdest stuff that you know he's telling the truth. I don't think he likes being considered an "actor" in Hollywood terms, like flaunting his popularity with expensive toys (he drives a used beat up, sounds like it's not working properly, car). He'd rather just be a normal guy who can go and play some music at an open mic night without being mobbed - unfortunately now that is just simply impossible with all the 13 year old fanatics running around screaming at him. All he has to do is run his hands through his hair and half the girls would probably faint at the sight of it. It's all pretty funny actually.

Blue Bloods

Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz
Young Adult Fantasy

Well, I'm going to do something I've never done before. I'm going to go to B&N and return some books. I bought the first two books of the Blue Blood series; Blue Bloods, and Masquerade, and I must say I'm extremely disappointed with Melissa De La Cruz's lack of creativity, to say the very least.

I'm not even finishing the first book. I actually was following a recommendation based on my love for Twilight, and I'm sorely disappointed. I am enjoying reading Fantasy books, and will not avoid delving into more of the Fantasy genre, I obviously DO NOT like Twilight solely based on the vampires. They do help, but it was the world that Stephenie Meyer created more than the vampires themselves. What I love about Twilight, and many other books - including The Time Traveler's Wife and The Pillars of the Earth, are solid characters. Characters you can believe in, relate to, that you can love and hate, characters that intertwine with each other within the story. And this is exactly what Blue Bloods was lacking.

The barely lets you get to know the characters before moving on to the next one. It does not delve into their thoughts much more than a second. Dialogue between them is lacking as well. And the worst part of all are the things that were similar to Twilight. Main character, Schuyler, is suppose to be shy and inward. Only instead of being a plain Jane, she's a rich goth princess. The vampire, Jack Flash, is a wonderfully handsome guy with lovely green eyes (...okay that's different) and adorably disheveled hair (can we say, Edward knock-off?). Not to mention that most of the vampires have mind-reading capabilities?? About the time I learned all that, I decided I was done. I already knew that the book wasn't going anywhere for me. I'm not much for the rich and classy - I cannot relate to that. I don't like reading about vampires just because they are vampires.

Here's my suggestion. If you LIKE vampires, give the books a try. I mean, I only named a few things about the vampires, just pointing out the obvious Twilightish references, but there are OTHER things about them that certainly are different than the norm. If you like high class, 'I can buy any thing I want' type books, sure it might work. I don't want to shoot anyone completely out, I mean Melissa DID spend time and effort writing and creating this new vampire world. I'm sure there are people out there who like it. I'm just not one of them.

Twilight

I just recently realized that I never did a real review on the Twilight Saga books. I talk about them often enough that anybody should realize that I loved every last one of them, but seeing as how I have a book review site, it only seems appropriate to do reviews. When I first read the Twilight books, Breaking Dawn had not been released yet, and I read through all three (Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse) in less than 4 days. When I did talk about them on my other blog, it was a quick overview of all three, and how I was completely crazy and read them all without stopping. Since then I've read each of them 2 more times, except Breaking Dawn, and Midnight Sun's draft - which I have only read through twice. So here it goes...

Twilight (& Midnight Sun) by Stephenie Meyer
Young Adult Fantasy

(A short synopsis from Amazon.com)

Bella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear.

Twilight is probably one of my favorite books of all. It's not perfect. It's not the most eloquent book of all time. But the story is absolutely wonderful, captivating to say the least. I just recently finished reading Midnight Sun again and I really, really hope that Stephenie Meyer will finish it in time. I believe that the strongest aspects of all of the Twilight books are the characters, and that what I consider the most important aspect of any book I read. If the characters are strong and believable. With the Twilight books, I honestly felt like they were alive, they were real. When I was done reading the books, I felt like I was missing a bunch of my "friends."

Bella feels that she is so plain and ordinary, that Edward's beauty and character is not much less than God himself. She is nothing compared to him. And yet, she cannot help but fall in love...

About three things I was absolutely positive:
First, Edward was a vampire.
Second, there was a part of him–and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be–that thirsted for my blood.
And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Edward views himself as a monster. He has been living for over 80 years in a state of complacency and just numbness. The only reason he's living is because he can't die. He views Bella as a beautiful, and horribly breakable being. He wants nothing more than to love her forever - except maybe taste her blood which literally calls to him. Yet wants to do nothing to harm her or effect her what-so-ever, including damning her to life forever as a vampire. He struggles constantly with his feelings for her, positive that it is very wrong for him to love her, but finding impossible not to.

Oh, and also, I'm wretchedly in love with you.
And, by the way, I adore you...in frightening, dangerous ways.

I think my favorite part (of Midnight Sun) is how he refers to Bella as "the girl" for a good portion of the first part of the book, basically distinguishing the "age" difference between them. But he is frozen at 17, and that includes emotionally - no matter how much Edward would like to deny that. He over analyzes every move Bella makes, and exults at her simple "yes" when he asks to take her to Seattle. He is most certainly still a teenager, with teenager-like emotions.

And all of this is just the beginning. I remember the first time I read Twilight, I was reading until the wee-hours of the morning just because I could not bare to put it down for too long. I was happy with the internal struggle. I was happy with just Bella and Edward, but what kind of book would that make? It all intensified with the addition of the nomads! The struggle and conflict, setting up Edwards ultimate decision for New Moon, perfectly, his worst fears are coming true. Humans hanging out with vampires just can't be good for their health... This conflict just topped the book of with a nice cherry for me making it one of my all time favorite books. I can almost feel myself wanting to go upstairs and pull off the shelf....again.

Music & Silence

Music & Silence by Rose Tremain
Winner of the 1999 Whitebread Award for Novel
Genre: Adult Fiction

Summary from flap of book:

Winner of the Whitebread Novel of the Year Award, Music & Silence is the story of a young English lutenist named Peter Claire who in 1629 arrives at the Danish Court to join King Christian IV's Royal Orchestra. From the moment he realizes that the musicians have to perform in a freezing cellar underneath the royal apartments, he understands that he's come to a place where the opposing states of light and dark, good and evil, are waging war to the death. Designated the King's "Angel" because of his good looks, he finds himself falling in love with the young women who is the companion of the King's adulterous and estranged wife, Kirsten. With his loyalties fatally divided, how will Peter Claire find the path that will realize his hopes and save his soul?

I do not think that this summary is very adequate for this book, in that it is giving you the false idea that this book is mainly about Peter Claire, when it is in truth about a wide array of characters. This is a novel, of many stories about lovers and love, about good and evil. There are many villainous characters in this story, many of which happen to be women, one of the main villains happens to be the almost-Queen, Kirsten. Although she isn't so much a villain as she is a selfish brat who expects people to be 100% devoted to her and let no one or thing share in that and who's only concern is herself 110% of the time. The book is an unwinding of and revelations of many characters who are all connected in some way, and in the end you feel satisfied that everyone got exactly what they wanted and quite possibly what they deserved. The characters that you will love are, indeed Peter Clare and his love, Emilia. Below is my favorite excerpt of this book, and actually does reveal Rose Tremains beautiful writing style:

"Then they stand just apart and stare at each other, and wonder whether they feel as Adam felt and as Eve felt when they contemplated themselves in paradise, and knew that, of all the wonders God had created, the man and the woman were the most extraordinary. They do not feel the shiver of autumn in the air. They are only distantly aware of the luminous sky and the white doves. One of the golden pheasants lets out a loud, irritable squawk (as though it thought that it, with all its superior finery, should be the object of their rapture) but they pay it no attention. They are face to face with all that they have longed for through the summer and they let it hold them perfectly still, as though caught in a trance, as though they might stand that way for ever."

I cannot say that I loved this book, but I did like it. I think the part that bothered me was how the book would jump from one person's point-of-view to the next at very short intervals, it almost felt soap opera-ish in that aspect. I don't mind seeing the story, or in this case, many stories unfold in a single book under different points-of-view, but this felt much to choppy and my attention for the book would start to wane. When asked by my husband if I liked this book, my response was, "well the fact that it took so long for me to read should partially answer this question." But the fact that I indeed did finish the books indicates that the book was worth of reading. And of course you don't need me to tell you that, it IS an award winner. While I may have had a hard time with the books jumpiness, and I definitely would not rate this book among my favorites, this book is surely worth your time!

Brief update...

I'm here. I'm alive. I'm currently reading Music and Silence. I read a review on another blog about this book and decided I wanted to give it a try. I like it okay so far.....but I'm not going to go into that right now. :) I've just got a lot of stuff going on that is preventing me from getting some reading done. Good news is, I believe I have a job! I say "believe" because it's pending a reference/background check. I have confidence I'll make it through that well enough.

Can't can't wait for November 21st. Twilight, here we come! I was in Wal-Mart today and was stopped right in my tracks when I saw a poster of "Edward" and another of "Edward & Bella." Hello - 28 year old mother wanting to scream like a school-girl here. Crazy, I know.

SO that's, that. I'm going to get reading so I can get back to reviewing. Don't forget about my "Water for Elephants" giveaway!

Book Survey

Ok Readers,

I challenge you all to answer a few questions for me. I know you’re out there, so join the party. Link to your blog, and invite your readers to come here and share their answers. And I'll make it a contest! You fill this out and leave a comment I'll randomly select one person to receive a copy of Water for Elephants.
1. What’s your favorite genre?
2. What books won’t you touch?
3. Did you read series books as a child/YA? If so, what was your favorite?
4. Do you have a favorite book blog? Why do you like it? (give us a link, please)
5. Is there a favorite character that you identify with or would love to meet? Do tell!

Here are my answers

1. What’s your favorite genre?
Hmm...is there a "drama" genre? I'd say I lean towards Romance more often than not, but I'm not overly particular as long as its good.

2. What books won’t you touch?
Horror, Murder Mysteries, True crimes, anything that involves extreme violence or crimes against children.

3. Did you read series books as a child/YA? If so, what was your favorite?
I loved ALL Judy Blume books. I also liked Anne of Green Gables Books, and the Mandie Mystery books. But my "favorite" book was The Secret Garden.

4. Do you have a favorite book blog? Why do you like it? (give us a link, please)
Since you are already at MY blog, I'll direct you to a couple of places I tend to "hang out" - Book Blogs and Here Be Reviews

5. Is there a favorite character that you identify with or would love to meet? Do tell!
Bella Swan. Just because as of right now I'm still a die hard Twilighter. Clare and Henry DeTamble from The Time Traveler's Wife...because I just LOVE them. :)

Tithe - A Modern Faerie Tale

Tithe by Holly Black
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

(from book flap)
Sixteen-year-old Kaye is a modern nomad. Fierce and independent, she travels from city to city with her mother's rock band until an ominous attack forces the sixteen-year-old back to her childhood home. There, amid the industrial, blue-collar New Jersey backdrop, Kaye soon finds herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms-a struggle that could very well mean her death.

I read a review of this book on another blog and picked it up to fulfill what I can only explain to be my "Twilight" hole with some new fantasy characters. Unfortunately it didn't quite work out so well. I think the difference between the Twilight "young adult" and this "young adult" fiction is that Stephenie Meyer didn't actually indent to write for young adults. She had herself in mind while she was writing, while I'm almost100% sure that Holly Black was definitely writing something she felt would relate to young adults. I don't have a problem with a goth or emo type feel, in fact, I didn't really have a problem with the book at all. It just was not quite as entertaining as I had hoped for.

For me the characters were good, but not as complete as I like. I mean, you get a general idea of who Kaye is, but not really at the same time. What I mean is, you know that she's a "bad" girl who dropped out of school, who shop lifts, smokes and travels around with her mom's band from city to city essentially taking care of her mom on the way. But really, IS that who she is? How does she feel about this? You don't really get to delve into the realm of Kaye. Her thoughts are locked away from the pages of the book. She was almost real to me, but not quite. Then the whole faerie thing. All of the sudden you reach a point in the book when she finds out she's actually a faerie, and she doesn't even take a moment to question it. She doesn't really get mad, or happy or anything. In fact, outside of a little bit of gushing over Roiben, Kaye doesn't seem to posses much emotion at all about anything. I also had a hard time envisioning Kaye as a faerie. I mean, green? Not just green, but GRASS green? I couldn't do it. I could do the blond Japanese look, but not that giant (I'm assuming she was around 5'4"ish) green human, (did she still have blond hair, I don't even know) with wings?? Maybe at 28 I'm just old enough not to get the glamor of it. I couldn't think of it and still have her as a beautiful girl of the story, especially next to the handsome Roiben. It wasn't happening for me.

Outside of character development, the story was pretty good. Enough to keep you going, not enough to make your heart beat and your brow break out in sweat in excitement. So, if you like fantisy, and young adult books, go ahead and try it. If you're just out there looking for characters who remind you of Edward and Bella...this isn't the stop you should make!

Sweet Love

Sweet Love by Sarah Strohmeyer
Genre: Adult Romance

(From flap of book)

Like other well-meaning mothers, Julie Mueller's believed she did the right thing when she secretly ended her teenage daughter's crush on Michael Slayton, a wild older neighborhood heartthrob with a penchant for Shakespeare and the pedigree of trailer trash. Twenty years later, Betty Mueller has come to realize that was a big mistake. Her daughter Julie-divorced and raising a teenage daughter alone-is a workaholic obsessed with her career. And Michael, the one man who could make her happy, is the one man to whom she won't speak a word. Now near the end of her life and determined to make amends, Betty stages her last great feat of motherhood by reuniting the couple in a dessert class where she hopes the sweetness of a chocolate almond Torta Caprese will erase the bitterness of a wretched misunderstanding.

This type of book tends to be like "candy" to me. It's good cute, extremely sweet, but not much else. The character and story development was not great. The story line itself was sub-par, but it was exactly what I set out to read. A nice good story were I don't have to think too much while I'm reading it and does not make my adreniline run, but it does leave me warm and fuzzy. So as far as fulfilling it's purpose, it gets 4 stars, as far as a "good book" goes...I'd give it more like 2.5 to 3 stars.

A Book Survey

What was the last book you bought?
Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer

Name a book you have read MORE than once
The Time Traveler's Wife, all of the Twilight saga

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
Yes, the Bible

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
First by the title, then by the summary. I also will read most recommendations

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Fiction

What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
Plot, character development is great too

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
Edward Cullen

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
I just finished a book, I haven't opened another yet...

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?
I just finished The Hunger Games today. (started it yesterday afternoon...very good)

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
Yes. I've decided if I just don't like it - I don't need to read it. And a few times I've picked up a book that goes quite far against my morals (it has to be pretty significantly far out there) or is blasphemous towards God.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction

(from inside flap)

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death before - and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Okay, to me the difference between a good book and a great book is this; I don't want to put down but I will, a great book I absolutely cannot put down. Going to sleep is torture, because I spend a lot of time (sometimes hours) laying awake wanting to know what happens next. This is one of those great books. I literally finished it a little more than an hour ago and couldn't wait to blog and get the word out. The Hunger Games is a suspenseful book that kept me going from cover-to-cover. I enjoyed the characters, although I will comment - if people were upset about the name "Renesme" in Breaking Dawn, they will not like the names in this book either. But I really could careless about that - the characters were great. In reality I'm glad this is a book, science fiction - and not reality. How heart wrentching when you really think about it - being forced to fight to the death with people your own age. I would be just like Katniss, having a hard time not forming attachments and honestly, I would never be able to follow through with any of the killing - even if I was forced to, I'd probably die first.

The book had many surprises, but the biggest one was the end - when...well I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. You'll see....

December

December by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop

(From book flap)

A spellbinding novel about a troubled young girl and a family in crisis, and a gripping, astonishing portrait of recovery and self-determination.

When December opens, eleven-year-old Isabelle hasn't spoken a word in nearly a year. Four psychiatrists have abandoned her, declaring her silence to be impenetrable. Her parents are at once mystified and terrified by their daughter's withdrawal, and by their own gradually loosening hold on the world tas they've always known it. Isabelle's private school, which until now has taken the extraordinary step of allowing her to complete her assignments from home, is on the verge of expelling her, forcing her parents to confront the possibility that what once seemed a quirk of adolescence, a phase, is perhaps a lifelong transformation, a swift and total retreat from which their daughter may never emerge. December paints an unforgettable picture of a family reckoning with a bewildering crisis, and of a critical month in the life of a bright, fascinating girl, locked into an isolation of her own making and from which only she can decide to break free.

Compulsively readable and deeply affecting, December is a work of marvelous originality and emotional power from a prodigiously gifted young writer.

This was a great book. It literally held me captive from the moment I started reading until the very end, leaving me to think about it at night until I could continue to read it again the next day. It is not a fast paced novel. But it definately dives into the innards of the thought process of all main characters, which I think is the part I enjoyed the most. I was struggling with Isabelle as she mourned the fact that she simply could not speak; her anger at herself, her disappointing her parents, friends, and teachers, her fear causes her to draw into herself more and more. I struggled with each parent trying to think of what to do next. Each parent having their own methods, strategies, and sometimes butting heads with each other, causing more frustration. I think one of my favorite parts is even though this family is going through such a hard time, Isabelle's parents; Ruth and Wilson are constantly doing things for each other. They rarely forget the simple things, like Wilson leaving the paper and a canister of coffee for Ruth on the nightstand on Sunday mornings, I think is great. And when it fails to happen, you know things are spirling more out of control.

I think this is an excellent book! Definately worth the time. I look forward to reading more of Mrs. Winthrop!

The Jane Austen Book Club

The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

(From inside the book flap)

In California's Central Valley, five women and one man join together to discuss Jane Austen's novels. Over the sex months they meet, marriages are tested, affairs begin, unsuitable arrangements become suitable, and love happens.

With her finely sighted eye for the frailties of human behavio and her finely tuned ear for the absurdities of social intercourse, Karen Joy Fowler has never been wittier, or her characters more appealing, while the complex dance of modern love has never been so devious - or so much fun.

I agree that this is a fun book! It was suggested by a friend and a fellow book-lover, and I thought it was a perfect fit for reading right after finishing Pride and Prejudice. Karen Joy Fowler made me fall in love with her characters, I loved how with each passing month and Austen book you got to dive into the mind of another one of the main characters. And of course, it's inevitable, if you're reading Austen books, there must be a happy ending, and this has a happy ending x5, and they give credit to non-other than Jane Austen herself, as if reading her books somehow helped them to love, forgive and fall in love all over again.

I guess next on my agenda is to check out the movie...which if it was done correctly this book should actually adapt well to film!

Mademoiselle Boleyn

*Originally posted 3/19/08 on my other blog

Mademoiselle Bolyen by Robin Maxwell
Taken from the back of the book:
When young Anne Boleyn is send to the French court with her father and sister, Mary, she thinks she’s in for an innocent adventure. But when the ambitious ambassador Thomas Boleyn leads them into the highly sophisticated and sexually permissive court of Francois I, Anne quickly learns that she and her sister are merely pawns for their father’s own political purpose. Mary becomes mistress to the outrageous French king and is ultimately seduced into his dangerous world by the luxuries of the court. But Anne will have a different fate…
Anne is younger, more clever, and stronger-willed than her sister, nd with the guidance of powerful allies and such unlikely friends such as Leonardo da Vinci, she learns how to navigate the challenges, passions, and betrayals of the court. And as she grows into a beautiful women, Anne undergoes her own awakening, each daring exploit taking her one step closer to the life that is her destiny.
I found this novel quite intriguing. So much so that I’ve sought out (and put on hold) other books on the Boleyn Sisters. My favorite part probably was Anne’s games of cards with the King - a seductive game of strip poker, but her intention wasn’t quite what the King had in mind. Anne is such a strong character from beginning to end, just making the book easier to read. With the scandal, sex, betrayal, religion as well as the compelling characters that were Mary and Anne, it’s no wonder they created a movie surrounding the family. I’m still waiting to read at least one more book before Netflixing the movie to watch. I’m sure I’ll be disappointed, because I can’t remember ever seeing a movie that was near as good as a book.

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

(from Amazon.com)

Having set up the central misunderstanding of the novel, Austen then brings in her cast of fascinating secondary characters: Mr. Collins, the sycophantic clergyman who aspires to Lizzy's hand but settles for her best friend, Charlotte, instead; Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr. Darcy's insufferably snobbish aunt; and the Gardiners, Jane and Elizabeth's low-born but noble-hearted aunt and uncle. Some of Austen's best comedy comes from mixing and matching these representatives of different classes and economic strata, demonstrating the hypocrisy at the heart of so many social interactions. And though the novel is rife with romantic misunderstandings, rejected proposals, disastrous elopements, and a requisite happy ending for those who deserve one, Austen never gets so carried away with the romance that she loses sight of the hard economic realities of 19th-century matrimonial maneuvering. Good marriages for penniless girls such as the Bennets are hard to come by, and even Lizzy, who comes to sincerely value Mr. Darcy, remarks when asked when she first began to love him: "It has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know when it began. But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley." She may be joking, but there's more than a little truth to her sentiment, as well. Jane Austen considered Elizabeth Bennet "as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print". Readers of Pride and Prejudice would be hard-pressed to disagree. --Alix Wilber --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Who doesn't love some Jane Austen? Okay, I must be honest, this is the first of her books that I have read. And of course I love it. I already loved all the movie adaptations, which is what made me pick up one of her books. I did have to concentrate a bit more reading this book than others, because I found the language would loose me if I wasn't paying attention. Not that I have a hard time understanding, but just that in the time that this book was written they spoke so differently than we do now that if I found my mind wandering, I also would find that I didn't really know what was going on in the book. I must say I was disappointed in the lack of dialogue - in parts where the books seemed to just summarized the events that took place, I wanted to hear the conversation itself. Either way, of course this is an excellent book!

Fall on Your Knees

* Since I mentioned it in my last post, here is my take on Fall on your Knees from my other blog on 3/12/08

Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald
Usually, I copy the synopsis from the back of the book, or inside flap here, but I already returned this book to the library, so what I have can be found at Oprah's book club site:
By turns dark and hilariously funny, this stunning fiction debut by an award-winning writer and actor takes readers on a mystically charged journey spanning five generations of one family's sin, guilt and redemption—a narrative feast of racial strife, miracles, terrible secrets and a passionate, enduring love.
Following the curves of history during the first half of the twentieth century, Fall on Your Knees takes us from haunted Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, through the battlefields of World War I, to the emerging jazz scene in New York City, and into the lives of four unforgettable sisters. The mythically charged family—James, a father of intelligence and immense ambition; Materia, his Lebanese child-bride; and their daughters. Kathleen is the eldest, a beautiful talent preparing for a career as an opera diva. Frances is an incorrigible liar and hell-bent bad girl. Mercedes, the obsessive Catholic is the protector of the flock. Lily, the adored invalid, takes us on a quest for truth and redemption.
Fall on Your Knees is a story of inescapable family bonds, of terrible secrets, of miracles, racial strife, attempted murder, birth and death, and forbidden love.
First off, I'm not so sure I would call this book "hilariously funny" as stated above. I found it, quite like one of the reviewers at Amazon.com, like a car accident...you want to look away, but you just can't. The author does a good job sucking you in and stringing you along, but really it's just one big long unhappy book. I kept hoping, reading for something good and wonderful, but everything you don't want to happen seems to happen in one way shape or form. I would never have thought to have written such a book. I can honestly say, I'm not going to excitedly go and pick up another of Ann-Marie's books - and not because she isn't a good author, it was very well written, but mainly because I don't look forward to seeing car accidents, so I'm not going to go look for them.

Vinegar Hill

Vinegar Hill by A. Manette Ansay
(from back of book)
In a stark, troubling, yet ultimately triumphant celebration of self-determination, award-winning author A. Manette Ansay re-creates a stifling world of guilt and pain, and the tormented souls who inhabit it. It is 1972 when circumstance carries Ellen Grier and her family back to Holly's Field, Wisconsin. Dutifully accompanying her newly unemployed husband, Ellen has brought her two children into the home of her in-laws on Vinegar Hill - a loveless house suffused with the settling dust of bitterness and routine - where calculated cruelty is a way of life preserved and perpetuated in the service of a rigid, exacting and angry God. Behind a facad of false piety, there are sins and secrets in this place that could crush a vibrant young women's passionate spirit. And here Ellen must find the strength to endure, change, and grow in the all-pervading darkness that threatens to destroy everything she is and everyone she loves.

I always continue reading books like this hoping for a happy ending. My ideal ending for this book would have been that Ellen realized that her husband does actually care and love her and the healing would begin. It wouldn't have to have a big red bow on it, but really - the husband, Jimmie, seemed completely misunderstood. This book was filled with lack of communication between the individuals, misunderstanding and seriously disturbed people. Not my favorite read by far. It doesn't rate as low as Fall on your Knees did on my list, but it's down near the bottom for sure.


Next from the bookcase: Pride and Prejudice

STILL looking forward to these recommendations (when funds allow, or library carries):
The Jane Austen Book Club - recommended by a friend, Tina
The Hunger Games - recommended by Stephenie Meyer on her website

The Pilot's Wife

The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve

A pilot's wife is taught to be prepared for the late-night knock at the door. But when Kathryn Lyons receives word that a plane flown by her husband, Jack, has exploded near the coast of Ireland, she confronts the unfathomable - one startling revelation at a time. Soon drawn into a maelstrom of publicity fueled by rumors that Jack led a secret life. Kathryn sets out to learn who her husband really was, whatever that knowledge might cost. Her search propels this taut, impassioned novel as it movingly explores the questions, How well can we ever really know another person?

I've read 3 of Anita Shreve's books this year, and while I usually do find them captivating and fun - I'm always left just a little short. I always wish she'd finishing them out just a little bit more. Usually Anita does leave me with a since of satisfaction though, but in this book it's not the case. I've been dwelling on it for a couple of days now, and I just wish there was a little bit more closure. It was a gripping book. It captivated you, and as always, Anita always adds the twist at the end to make it just a little bit more exciting. I love her attention to details that create such a wonderful picture. I always feel like I'm right there in the story watching as it unfolds.


Next from the bookcase: Vinegar Hill (gotta love picking up .99 books at the thrift store!!)

Looking forward to these recommendations:
The Jane Austen Book Club - recommended by a friend, Tina
The Hunger Games - recommended by Stephenie Meyer on her website

Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Genera: Adult Romance, Adult Science-Fiction

(From the back of the book)

A most untraditional love story, this is a celebrated tale of Henry DeTamble, a dashing, adventuresome librarian who involuntarily travels through time, and Clare Abshire, an artist whose life takes a natural sequential course. Henry and Clare's passionate affair endures across a sea of time and captures them in an impossibly romantic trap that tests the strength of fate and basks in the bounds of love.

I LOVE this book! The book summary sums it up well, as it really is about Henry and Clare's adventure with Henry's genetic disorder. It is a love so passionate and true that it withstands some serious conflicts and adventures. Among my favorite scenes include their wedding day, and Clare and Henry's run-in with her horrible first date. This book had me laughing out loud and crying heartbroken tears. I, personally, would rate this book among some of the greatest loves stories ever told. Although, I have my doubts about it being done very well - the movie rendition of the book is coming out, and I am looking forward to it.

I *heart* Stephenie Meyer

I just got done watching Stephenie Meyer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. When the show first came on and she said Stephenie was going to be on there, I totally wanted to squeal like a 13 year old girl…and then I thought better of it..I mean, I am a 28 year old mother of 3…get a grip! While I was really excited to be able to watch her on something other than YouTube, I had hoped Ellen would spend a little more time with her, and that I would have learned something that I didn’t already know. Oh well. It was still awesome to see her. Stephenie Meyer is my all time favorite author. I’ve read over 30 books this year (well, some of them I read more than once…) and Stephenie’s books are my favorite. I’ve never been able to say I have a favorite author as an adult. As a kid, I loved Judy Blume…but that was eons ago. Or it felt like it anyway.
Just last week I finished reading the entire series again. It was my 3rd time for Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse, and 2nd time through for Breaking Dawn. I liked Breaking Dawn the first time. I was not among the - “Oh my goodness, I can’t believe this book belongs to the same series..” crowd at all, but it did shock me more than once my first time through. The 2nd time through was SOO much better! Twilight is still the best, but this is definately my 2nd favorite book of the series. Knowing all the surprises - I was able to focus on other parts of the story. Heck, the I read it so fast the first time through - I KNOW I missed entire pages (ahem..the LAST page for instance. For amonth I thought the last words were “now you know no one has ever loved anyone as much as I love you.” ) - because this time I was like “…Whooooa, I don’t remember that being there.” When I first read it I really liked Jacob narrating the 2nd book, this time I LOVED it. I can’t believe how funny all the werewolves are. I especially enjoyed Seth and his overeager personality and love for the Cullins. He made me laugh out loud a lot! My husband thought I was going nuts for sure. I am done for now though. I think 3 times through the series is enough for one year. Next up on the agenda is the movie of course!
I am totally excited about Stephenie Meyer’s writing. I have read The Host as well and it was very good too! I look forward to more books from her, whether they are vampire based or not - it’s all good to me! I just hope the whole Midnight Sun thing won’t discourage her from writing. It happens to the best of authors all the time. (I would LOVE to see the completed Midnight Sun some day too..but I’m not holding my breath.)
So to sum it all up..I HEART Stephenie Meyer!