What an amazing story of tragedy and triumph!
A Venetian Affair: A True Story of Impossible Love in the Eighteenth Century
Very interesting... Venice and forbidden love... a true story about the authors great great great grandfather. Good read! 12/09
Appetite for Life: The Biography of Julia Child
I feel that I'm discovering Julia Child a bit late in the game. But what an amazing woman! Good read although the author could have left out some of the small details. Live on Julia! 12/09
Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea
6/09 I try to like these kind of books but I don't. It was mildly amusing to me. She is funny but I can't relate to where she is coming from at times-- seems a bit spoiled.
Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office
8/09 Entertaining on a light note. I always like her Chicago refrences.
4/09 If you appreciate a Southern woman's wit and needa light read in between deeper books then this one is good. I grew up in the south and know several people like Cecilia--they tell it like it is and it's is funny!
Though not as good as Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, this is a good book. I once again learned about an interesting (and terrible) time in China.
Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3)
I'm bored with this series (or I'm too old). Have heard that the 4th one is really good... let's hope! 10/09
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
7/09 Loved it!!! So different and used 9/11 as the backdrop.
Four to Score (Stephanie Plum, No. 4)
I haven't read one of these in a few years and I guess I'm passed them. It was ok but felt like I had read it before. I think I am done reading J.E. It was fun while it lasted.
Free-Range Kids: Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts with Worry
Should be read by parents that worry. But the author's delivery is a bit self-righteous.
5/09 Just a sweet sweet book...how can you not a love an elephant story!
7/09 Interesting tale about Korean picture brides set in Honalulu in the 1800s.
Hot, Flat, and Crowded (Why We Need A Green Revolution - And How It Can Renew America)
Sooo interesting!!! Thomas Friedman should be head of the EPA, maybe something would really get done about the environment! 10/09
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel
Very enjoyable read. Loved the characters and the setting of the Chinese and Japanese communities in Seattle during WWII. 2/10
I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone
I was so lucky to meet this author in a small book discussion. This book was a bit young as it was about a high school aged punk rocker that was into drinking and a bit of drugs but I loved Stephanie's writing. She did a great job of character development and she is a joy in person. I look forward to reading her next book that comes out in July 09. 3/09
In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto
6/09 I've mentioned it before-- I love food and environmental books-- put them together with Michael Pollen-- love it!! So interesting (and sad) that our food is so controlled and not in a good way.
Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil
I found this book to be very interesting. I personally can't imagine going to Afghanistan. It gave good look inside a place that I don't know much about. Just maked me realize once again that "people are people" everywhere. Every one deserves a chance. BC 2/09
Lake Effect: Two Sisters and a Town's Toxic Legacy
5/09 Interesting!!! I am really into environmental books. This is about Lake Michigan near Waukegan, IL. What is in our water? What are our factories dumping in the water? Can it make us sick? It's the story of 2 sisters that grew up in Waukegan and what happens to them in adulthood.
Interesting with a bit of a twist. It gave an interesting insight to one immigrant's story. 3/10
5/09 I enjoyed Carolyn Parkhurst's novel "The Dogs of Babel" but this was -- yuck! Seemed to Danielle Steeleish or something.. no thanks!
Interesting history of Hawaii and this island.
New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2)
7/09 If this had been the first in the series I would not have read another one. It was a bit silly. Hoping #3 is better or else I'm finished with this series. I tend not to like series of books, they are too much the same book after book. We'll see..
Olive Kitteridge: Fiction
I had this book on my "list" for a long time. It had an interesting premise but I felt it was bit fluffy. Did give some insight to the American Indians (what a raw awful deal they got!!) but other than the history mentioned it was light. 2/09
Out Stealing Horses: A Novel
Really enjoyed this book. 12/09
Still reading... love it!!! 1/10
This book was alright but I read it after American Wife, which I couldn't put down so I think I expected more.
Wow! Tough read (graffic)... but so interesting and enlightening. Although not a true story, the author must have based this on girls she has worked with over the years. 12/09
Quantum Wellness: A Practical and Spiritual Guide to Health and Happiness
The "self help" part was a bit much for me b/c most of don't have the time to focus on all of it. I did enjoy the food part as I'm currently a "Food Book" junkie!
RULES FOR OLD MEN WAITING
Ok, I found it a bit dry. 11/09
Really didn't care much for this.. too simple and I didn't care about any of the characters. Just gave it a higher mark b/c it is Ann Patchett. 11/09
7/09 Seriously...this book is about Salt! Who knew there was so much to know? It was told in such a way to hold my interest. This will give you lots of answers to obscure trivia questions.
Same Kind of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together
One of the best books I've ever read!!!! Very inspiring (no matter what your religious views). It's a beautiful story. My Book Club loved it! 4/09
Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest To Discover if Her Life Makes Her Ass LookBig, Or Why Pie is Not The Answer
Laugh out loud funny at times. I don't read much "Chick Lit" even though my book club is called The Chicklits but this was smart funny. I have never really dieted but I got what Jen Lancaster was talking about along with the many Chicago refrences. I look forward to reading another one of her books. Thanks Mere! 4/09
Tears of the Giraffe (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Book 2)
8/09 Delightful and easy read
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
What a wonderful little book! I wasn't so sure I would like it at first b/c it's labeled as YA, but it was really different and oh so enjoyable!
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Awesome! So unique! I couldn't put it down and I fell more in love with my dog Tessa than I already was! She still as her "thumbs"-- she is extra special! BC 1/09
9/09 AWESOME!! Took a few small chapters to get into...but wow! Highly recommend. Some of my favorite books lately have been "Young Adult" books. WWII Germany...what a place!
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
6/09 Kept seeing this book at the book store so I finally got it. It took me a bit to get into but I did and it was worth it. Different and good but didn't leave a lasting impression.
The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts
4/09 Very interesting! It made me want watch all the old Chris Farley sketches and movies. I like the way it was written-- each chapeter would comment on what was happening in Chris' life at the time and then it would be followed by what people said about him and that time. If you are mildly a CF fan- you will enjoy this
The Enchanters vs. Sprawlburg Springs
Had the pleasure of meeting the author in an 8 person private book discussion. It was a bit young male for me. All the men that read it loved it-- I guess they could relate more. The funniest parts were the suburban satires. 4/09
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Very sweet book! Lots of characters to keep up with but are all so sweet. Also liked learning about Guernsey during WWII. 11/09
Absolutely loved this book!!! Maybe b/c I grew up in Alabama, but the characters were interesting as well as the social/racial climate of the time. 10/09
The Hour I First Believed: A Novel
I absolutely LOVED "I Know This Much is True" but this one was not nearly as good. Wally Lamb is really good at getting into the characters but I think the subject was a little hard to take. I didn't realize it had to do with Columbine HS. I had a shooting nightmare while I was reading this book. I did care about the characters but I didn't love them. 3/09
The Last Days of the Romanovs: Tragedy at Ekaterinburg
5/09 What an interesting true tale of the last Czar of Russia. Tragic and true! Great read!
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County
4/09 Enjoyable...the setting and characters reminded me of the movie Big Fish or the tv show Pushing Daisies.
The Mother Tongue: English & How It Got That Way
English is a funny language and Bill Bryson makes it interesting as only he can. 3/09
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
Wow! I love food books right now and I love reading about where our food comes from! Everyone that cares should read this...very informative. I look forward to reading "In Defense of Food" very soon. 3/09
The Piano Teacher: A Novel
Story was blah... didn't buy the main relationship in the book. I did enjoy learning about Hong Kong during WWII. 1/10
The Reader (Movie Tie-in Edition) (Vintage International)
Wow...very powerful book. Lots to think about when this one was over. I didn't see the movie but I kept thinking of Kate Winslet as I read it...I could totally see her in this role. 4/09
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey
A bit dry. But a very interesting true story. I can't even imagine doing what TR and the rest of the men did on this wild adventure! 2/10
I picked this for my Book Club to read b/c of the social topic. It did make for good discussion as it makes you think about race and immigration. I felt that it went on a little long at the end of the book, though. BC 3/09
8/09 Set in India...great read!
Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
Was reluctant to read this book b/c of the popularity. I thought it would be too simple. It is an easy ready but sucked me right in...to the point that I had a dream about a hot vampire the first night! 1/09
Wow... can Lahiri make you feel people. All the stories are heart ache in some way, but the way she writes is amazing! So real! 9/09
What Is the What (Vintage)
8/09 Always love a bitter coming to America story. I hope his life got better after the release of this book!
When the Emperor Was Divine
5/09 This book was alright-- was about the Japanese camps after WWII. I wanted to like it more. The characters didn't have names so I had a hard time really connecting to them.
You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty
Interesting history of Hawaii and this island. 3/09
