7/10/10

Dear John

By Nicholas Sparks

It was a nice love story, true Sparks style. Love doesn't always win in the end, life does.

Reality reading.........

5/23/10

Bonk! The Curious Coupling of Science & Sex

By Mary Roach.

She is an oddball for sure. Her books and style of writing are more like a study of her tangents than anything else.

4/25/10

Alex Cross's Trial

By James Patterson

Not what I expected but I really liked it.

It is a look back at the main characters great great grandfather Abraham Cross. Living in south Mississippi in the early 1900s. Roosevelt sends an attorney down to see what is actually the sentiment is on racial relations in the south. It goes through all the injustices and absolute prejudices that have happen at the hands of whites.

It is written in the Patterson style, short quick chapters, as well as sentences. A mystery wrap in the dram of hangings, love and the courtroom. Not bad. Somewhat educational.

4/18/10

The Secret Life of Bees

By Sue Monk Kidd

I saw the movie and LOVED it. Now to read it. I have waited a long time for this. Let's hope it lives up to my expectations!!!!!

4/8/10

A Sudden Country

by Karen Fisher

Long ago on the Oregon trail... not sure where she is going but there are some astoundingly beautiful and remarkable sentences here.

Half the Sky: Turning Opression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

by Nicholas D. Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn

At least someone has opened the door on these issues... I shouldn't complain.
However, Kristoff writes for an American audience which comes across, to me, as patronizing. Either way, if one of the stories from any of these women or their statistics cracks your surface, it will be a good thing.

4/5/10

Cross Country

By James Patterson

Just started. The formula is amazing, always the same, the same type of things going on, how different can each mystery be? But I love the character, Alex Cross. I get hooked on these serials they become like old friends. You meet the family, see their likes and dislikes. Good writing when you can make a strong lasting connection like that.

Will review the book as I go.

It was typical Patterson but with a message. It is about the atrocities in Africa. The story brings you through Nigeria and their issues with illegal oil, diamonds etc and how all the developed nations will do anything to get their hands on it...US England, Holland and China...Of course he throws in the absolute hiedious atrocities against girls and women. When is the world over ever going to value girls and women and empower them? Doesn't anyone realize that there would be nil without them? Or is that the issue?

4/1/10

I, Alex Cross

By James Patterson

Yes, I am a Patterson junkie, can't help it my husband got my hooked so many years ago and now I have read just about all his books, can't give up now...I will read him til the day I pass or he does, which ever comes first.

This is pretty standard JP, sucks you right in and gets involved in the first chapter then moves fast. Only on page 70 though. I picked up 2 at thelibrary, was going to read something else but they didn't have what was onmy list at the time.....I was craving a read so here it is....

3/13/10

The Historian

by Elizabeth Kostova

Big, fat historical novel. Starting it today and have no ideas yet.

Update: Page 1 = hooked.

Middle of book = juvenile vampire fiction.

End = pass on this one.

3/12/10

Wisdom of the Ages by Wayne Dyer

An interesting compilation of many poets, spiritual leaders, authors, educators. One of the best overall collections I have seen in a long time. Positive, thought provoking might have to buy this one so I can reference it.

The Luck Factor by Richard Wiseman

Actual study done. Goes over the 4 principles to change your luck. A good easy read, puts things in perspective, positive, uplifting. Not finished yet will write more.

3/8/10

About Grace

by Anthony Doerr

What is fiction? Non-fiction laced with dreams...?

At first, gray and sad - but this became beautiful and an ode to piercingly cold Alaskan winters and the depths of a man's heart.

3/4/10

Shanghai Sisters

By Lisa See

I read Snow Flower & the Secret Fan on a friend's recommendation so I thought I'd try this one. I really am fascinated by Chinese culture and history, fiction being a part of that and the American-Chinese experience no exception.

Enjoyable, with some tough parts to get through... I am haunted by rape-scenes. Why is it that no matter what we can never escape from this threat?

3/2/10

Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Difinitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement and Reproductive Health

by Toni Weschler

A friend got me hooked on the idea that it might be kinda cool to understand the female body. Go figure.

The Diaper-Free Baby: The Natural Toilet Training Alternative

by Christine Gross-Loh

I might as well confess the non-fiction titles I have been perusing on the side...
New baby & I are working through this one!!

3/1/10

Harvesting the Heart

By Jodi Picoult

I am not liking the main characters but as I am hesitant to put down a book that I have already started, I might find it gets better as I go. Gee, I hope so. My mom sent it to me... 'nuf said.

Tuesday was go-to-Library day and I picked up my ordered books... This one is getting set down for now.

2/23/10

Cloud Atlas

by David Mitchell

OK, truth be told I had to give this book back to the library as someone else had it on hold and I could not renew it. So, I added it back on my list and ordered up a few more... I will have to get back to this one when I get it again!

2/21/10

Grave Sight

by Charlaine Harris

I am thinking fluff, but we shall see.
Update: Yeah, it was pretty much a young adult read, but had an interesting idea at its core.

2/13/10

Mama Day

By: Gloria Naylor

Not the usual southern hoo-doo voodoo - Naylor gets inside the man's mind just as easily as she does the woman's. Sometimes I need to get back into the humidity & spanish moss and southern books fulfill that need. I will say that if I were Naylor's editor, I would have had her go back and finish this thing a bit more... Just my .2.

2/11/10

A Fine Balance

by Rohinton Mistry

Basically, the life and times of slums and struggling in India. There is optimism and pessimism, and one takes over by the end... Some of the characters still linger with me.

2/1/10

The Art of Racing In The Rain

by Garth Stein

Loved this book - obviously it is about more than racing in the rain. Anyone who has shared their life with dogs must read. Puts it all into perspective.

1/31/10

The Harvard Psychedelic Club: How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith and Andrew Weil Killed the 50's and Ushered in a New Age for America

By: Don Lattin

This guy had some interesting links that he seems to have worked on to put together but his way of telling lacks art and is all over the place. The title says it all - no need to read further.

Marriage and Other Acts of Charity

By: Kate Breastrup

Am on a non-fiction kick. This one, while not recommended, did have some interesting pearls. However, it really was not that interesting... Does everyone have to write an autobiography?