The 19th Wife

David Ebershoff

A friend at work shared this with me because she knows I am mildly obsessed with polygamy. Don't worry I don't want to practice it, I just think it is amazing that anyone is willing to. As I typed the author's name I was shocked to see a man wrote this book so much about women's emotions. He did a great job, although the more I think about it he did a good job of presenting how men are affected as well. Even though I considered polygamy a woman's issue it isn't at all and this book really presents it from a man's view. I think that is the sad part, it seems that everyone attatched to a family of this kind suffers men, women and of course children. Anway, I thought this was a good read. I liked that while it read like a biography at the end the author helped to clarify what was factual and what was not.
If you share my fascination you would enjoy this book.

Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing

Ted Conover

So, I am a big dork. I started listening to NPR, I got tired of always being clueless about what is happening in the world. I have come to enjoy the shows that speak with various author's about their work. I heard Mr. Conover talking about this book and decided to read it. I am amazed at what life is like working in a prison. Mr. Conover sacrificed so much to spend almost a year working as a guard in the system in a very scary prison. His research paid off I thought this book was fascinating. But, it is a total dork read I have to warn you!

Sarah's Key

Tatiana de Rosnay

A really interesting World War II novel. I thought it was interesting to read about the War from the French side of things. I can't imagine how many peoples' lives continue to be affected by the horrible tragedies that occur and this book was a great reminder. I also thought it was entertaining and had good closure at the end which I always appreciate.

Her Fearful Symmetry

Audrey Niffenegger

I was so excited to read this, The Time Traveler's Wife is one of my all-time favorite books, so I couldn't wait to read another of this author's books. I think she does a great job of developing characters without beating you down by it, and this book is very different than the other book I read of hers so I can't accuse her of being formulaic. I think that this was an interesting read, but pretty wierd for sure. But, I thought that this was a good book and a different read than my usual so I am glad that I read it. I did like TTW better, but I would encourage this for a read outside of the usual chick flick books I sometimes get bored with.

The Lost Symbol

Dan Brown

I thought this was a fun read. It was very typical Dan Brown. I am not sure if I am more used to his style or more jaded, but some parts seemed pretty far fetched... But, it was still a fun, well-written suspense book with good twists and turns. I was wishing I had been more attentive on my visit to Washington D.C. as the sights and symbols were described. Oh well, I guess we will have to go back. It was also fun to watch the Dateline special about it afterwards to see more about the fact vs. fiction of the book.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Muriel Barbery

I read this for book club, very late by the way. I feel so bad, I always read the book before we meet this is only the 2nd book I haven't finished and the last one I had read before...
Anyway, I love book club because you read books other people pick that you might not pick yourself. I would not have chosen this book. It was cool that it was translated from French, I think I said with The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo that I think it makes me feel smarter even though it really doesn't mean anything. I thought the book was okay. Pretty slow, I think it took 3/4 for me to really get interested and then I thought it ended rather abruptly. So, I didn't think it was great, but I am not sorry I read it.

Never Tell a Lie

Hallie Ephron

This was a good cheesy murder/mystery. It was an interesting twist that one of the main characters was pregnant. I can only imagine the tricks your mind plays on you while you are pregnant falling while something so crazy was happening in your life. I thought it was a fun book club choice for this month, their is something fun about reading a good mystery in the fall!

The Englisher and The Brethren

Beverly Lewis

These were the following two books in the series I started called Annie's People. I loved these easy fun reads. Even though I knew what I wanted and was probably going to happen I couldn't wait to finish them and make sure. I think these would be a great vacation read and were a really nice escape for me during a very busy fall.

My Lobotomy

Howard Dully and Charles Fleming

Wow! I am shocked by this book. It is amazing the life that this gentleman has lead considering all he has been through. I am shocked at how easy it was to decide to do such a life altering procedure on a 12 year old boy. Our system failed this man in so many ways and so did his family. VERY interesting, but quite disturbing. I hope we have better checks and balances in place today. However, when I deal with CPS it makes me wonder.

The Preacher's Daughter

Beverly Lewis

I knew I forgot one of my Chicago reads. My friend Annalee recommended this as a great vacation read and she was so right. I totally reminds me of good books we have shared before like the Christy Miller series. While Christian fiction can often be a little too cheesy for me, the twist of getting to learn about the Amish, or Plain as I am learning to say, community is fun. I really liked this book and I am about 50% through the next in the series. It would be a perfect read for a teenage reader or anyone else, too.

Escape

Carolyn Jessop and Laura Palmer

I don't know why but I think polygamy is so interesting. I love to watch Big Love on HBO, we don't get it, but my parents DVR it for us. I also thought that the book Under the Banner of Heaven was very interesting. I have been wanting to read this book for a long, long time but never got around to it. So, I just got on my kindle and read it. Wow. What a life I truly can't imagine. I am so glad that Warren Jeffs was caught and so sad he has managed, with others, to create such an oppressive culture. Those poor people. A very interesting read about a fascinating, but maddening culture. I am so glad I live in the world I live in with the ONE husband I have who actually loves and respects me and our child!

The Time Traveler's Wife

Audrey Niffenegger

This is one of the very few books I have re-read. I read it just after college and LOVED it! I tried to get all my friends to read it. I found that some liked it and some didn't, but it will always remain one of my favorite books. It is different, but such a great love story. Michael read it, too. He said I oversold it in the beginning, but by the end he could see why I liked it. I think that means he liked it, too, but I am not sure he will fully admit it.

I also went to see the movie with my book club. I thought the movie was good, but of course not as good as the book. I think I would have been confused if I hadn't read the book, it was harder to follow the time traveling. Also, I missed Ms. Kimmy and wanted more about Henry's dad.

Enjoy!

Love the One You're With

Emily Griffin

While I have loved all of Emily Griffin's other books this was not my favorite. It is just hard for me to be okay with almost cheating on your spouse and then everything is all okay... but that's me. I know my world view is pretty naive and small, but I like it that way. I would recommend her other books though.

The Girl Who Played With Fire

Stieg Larsson

This is the sequel to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I loved the first book and I am glad that I read this one as well. While it probably wasn't quite as developed as the first, I really liked it. I also think that there were a few parts that were a little unbelievable. But, overall I was hooked and the cliffhanger at the end is going to make it hard to wait until book 3 is available in the U.S.

Firefly Lane

Kristin Hannah

What a great summer read. I love a story about great friends. I think this is because I am blessed with so many good girlfriends, and Michael really is my best friend. I thought this was a sweet, neat story and I am so glad I read it even if it did end a little sad. I think it is funny how I don't cry about my life very often at all, but a good book or movie always gets me. This is well worth your time for an easy summer story.

Candyland

Candy Spelling

Ok, so I really enjoyed Stori Telling and couldn't resist hearing Candy's side of the story. But, I wouldn't waste my time if I were you. Candy didn't have much to say. She whined about how hard it is to be a trophy wife, boo hoo. And, how hard it was to be a celebrity Mom, boo hoo. I am sure Tori has done some bratty things, but at least her story had some good stories. Candy was boring, she spent a chapter telling the layout of her ginormous attic. Oh well. It was something to read, guess I will have to get Mommywood now.

Multiple Bles8ings

Jon & Kate Gosselin and Beth Carson

Well, my timing wasn't the greatest. I have been wanting to read this for a long time and a friend at work loaned it to me recently. I have to say, I have always been team Kate. She can be harsh, but so can I. I felt like she always really loved her kids and her husband, but is demanding... aren't we all good for her for admitting it. Anyway, I liked the book. I am so sad their marriage didn't make it. I wish nothing but the best for all of them. I really hope Kate and Jon have some good friends to support them in this time and that they lean on their faith as they have in the past.

Black Out

Lisa Unger

I saw this listed on the Today Shows recommended summer reads. I have always had good suggestions from here in the past and I also enjoyed this one. There were a lot of twists and turns, maybe too many, but it fits the book well. I can't wait to discuss it with book club. I am glad I read it with my Dallas girls, Melinda in Tyler would HATE it.

The Beach House

Jane Green

Perfect summer read. I needed something for the plane on the way to Minnesota and this was just the thing. I always love her novels and I wasn't disappointed, even a fun twist I didn't predict. Enjoy it on the beach or by the lake, you won't be sorry.

Dragonfly in Amber

Diana Gabldon

This is the second book in the Outlander series and I am loving it! I laughed I cried and I am dying to start the next one. I can't believe I like a fantasy book about a woman going back in time hundreds of year, but I do. It is a commitment though, 900 pages in paperback yikes!

A Reliable Wife

Robert Goolrick

Well, this book keeps popping up as one I would enjoy on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. I have to say I am not sure why. It was okay, not horrible not fabulous. I am sure I should take away a lot of imagery and symbolism that I am too simple to pick up on. I thought it was just kind of sad.

The Invisible Wall

Harry Berstein

So, I am a genius. I didn't realize until the epilogue to this book that it was based on the author's life. A great read. I never thought about the life of a Jewish person in Europe before WWII. I was so ignorant. I really enjoyed this book, but can't say much it is a book club book.

Prayers for Sale

Sandra Dallas



I read this on my new kindle let me just say this is definitely a want not a need, but I LOVE IT!!! What a fabulous Birthday present! So so great.

A very fun read about a neat friendship between women from different generations. I love that I get to discuss this with my Tyler book club because we are women of different ages and that is probably my favorite thing about this group. A great, not to hard but not boring read!

Outlander

Diana Gabaldon

I got this from a friend at work and really enjoyed it. Of course it is the first in a series so I am hoping to read more about this couple soon. In parts it was a little romance novelish, but I just skipped those pages and I did feel like it was relevant to the story. I love that the lady is a nurse, but she was much more attentive in nursing school than I was. I would be toast if I needed all the skills she remembers. This kind of reminded me of The Pillars of the Earth, but the nursing stuff kept my attention better than the architecture stuff.

I Was Told There'd Be Cake

Sloane Crosley

A fun read! I read this for book club and at first wasn't sure I liked it but as we talked about it I realized I liked it a lot. She was pretty funny and made lots of good points that I can relate to, others not so much. It definitely served the book club purpose I probably wouldn't have read it on my own, but I am glad I did and enjoyed it.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

What a great read! I had a little trouble getting started and was frustrated that there were no chapters, then there is no good stopping place. But, I loved this story. The authors did a great job of handling a tough subject and time in a creative way. I have heard from several people that this is a great book and I whole heartedly agree. I would love to be a part of a community like Guernsey and hope to be the kind of friend they were to each other.

Handle With Care

Jodi Piccoult

I have to say I think I am done with Jodi P. for awhile. While I loved hated My Sister's Keeper and just plain loved Plain Truth. The last two of her books have left me disappointed. A friend at work mentioned that her books are becoming a little formulaic and I think I agree. This book was an awful lot like My Sister's Keeper, but not as good the second time around. Sorry, Jodi... I will always love the others :)

Remember Me?

Sophie Kinsella

I love Sophie Kinsella. She isn't going to change the world, or make you learn hard new words or probably even make you smarter. But, she does make me laugh, or smile, or both and always ties everything up in a fun way that makes everybody happy. If you need a good book for the beach, or a plane ride. She always fulfills. If you haven't read the Shopaholic books you should, I haven't seen the movie but I read and loved all that books.

While My Sister Sleeps

Barbara Delinsky

An okay read.... The story was interesting but the characters were not as well developed as I would have liked. I feel like this was the same thought as Jodi Piccoult's My Sister's Keeper, but not nearly as good.

The Help

Kathryn Stockett

I LOVED this book. It was a great picture into a really interesting part of my culture as a Southern girl. Jackson, MS sounds a lot like Tyler, TX. I hope I would have been brave like Skeeter, that I am not mean like Hilly and that I wouldn't be insecure like Elizabeth. I highly recommend this book, our book club voted it a favorite for sure!

The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes

Diane Chamberlain

A great story. I had a hard time putting it down and being productive. Avery was up last night not feeling well, so I finished it while I was waiting to see if he was down for good. Well worth the read!

Some Things That Stay

Sarah Willis

A fun novel to read. We read it for Tyler book club. It reminded me a little of The Glass Castle. A great reminder that parents who don't put consider how their lives affect their kids cause their kids to suffer no matter what your socioeconomic status. I am so thankful for my parents. I enjoyed it, and you can get it at Target!

A Second Opinion: Rescuing America's Health Care

Arnold S. Relman, M.D.

I read this for Michael's book club. Of course, he didn't read it.... but I did. I must say it was interesting. We are going to have to make some major changes in our health care system and I am interested to see what those changes are and how they affect me both as a patient and a nurse. I think the author makes some really good points, as well as some that are a bit extreme. While I think his plan has some great aspects I do worry about others. The discussion we had about this book was very thought provoking. I hope that the leaders who make decisions are reading books like this and others written by people in the medical field, not businessmen when they make decisions about health care.

The American Wife

Curtis Sittenfeld

Well, I have very mixed emotions about this book. I love and hate that it is loosely based on our former first lady, because I feel like it changed my opinion of her and I am not sure if that is fair. I enjoyed learning of her love for children and reading, two passions I share. I even enjoyed Alice's spunk and strength when she began dating Charles. But, I did not love that "Alice" felt like she had no say in her husband's life. I do not think the President's wife should run the country, but I also don't understand how you can be married to the President and share almost none of his political views. As I said I have mixed emotions, I can't wait to see what my book club thought.

Very Valentine

Adriana Trigiani

Such a cute book. I really enjoyed it and as apparently everything I read it is one of 3 so I will have to read the next 2 once they are published. It really made me want to go to Capri and eat yummy Italian food and I always love a story with a wonderful grandchild grandparent relationship. I still miss my Papa.

Eragon

Christopher Paolini

A fun read and a little different from my usual because it was about dragons, etc. I guess the Twilight series is helping me step beyond my comfort zone in teen novels. I am glad I read it and I will probably read the rest of the series at some point. I did LOVE that there was a pronunciation key at the back for all the crazy names, but I wish I had found it sooner.

The Lace Reader

Brunonia Barry

I was supposed to read his for my book club last fall. I couldn't be there so I didn't read it. I decided to go ahead and read it now. I thought it was a good book. The story was entertaining, but a little predictable. It was a fun setting though. I would love to visit Salem and the surrounding areas some time.

The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo

Stieg Larsson

This was a really great book. First, I felt super cool that it was translated from Swedish it just made me feel like a world traveler without ever leaving the privacy of my own home. I thought the story line was great, not your usual predictable murder mystery. I won't reveal the twists and turns, but I encourage you to read it and I am anxiously awaiting the sequel's release this summer. I am looking forward to where the story heads next.

The Stone Diaries

Carol Shields
This is my book club read for my new group. I can't say much until after we meet. I am interested to see what everyone else thought. Very different from my first book club's first book. Angry Housewives Eating Bonbon's. I am glad I have read both.

Change of Heart

Jodi Picoult

A good book by one of my favorite authors. I feel like I remember the part of the story line about Elizabeth and Kurt from something else, maybe Keeping Faith, she crosses Ian Fletcher from that book into this one in a fun way. As always Jodi P. challenges you to look at both side of an issue and question everything. The last chapter is really interesting but I hate that it untied all the nice ending I had in my head.. or maybe it didn't... love Jodi P.

Hold Tight

Harlan Corben

Interesting... A good murder mystery type. I like the main plot, the side plot seemed a little far fetched at times and it was a little crazy how they tied together. I am glad I read it, and when I got close to the end I definitely needed to know how it all wrapped up. I did especially like that it did all wrap up. He does raise an interesting point about all the technology available and how to best use it to monitor your kids without overstepping and interfering. I am glad I have some time before I need to find that balance.

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched

Meg Cabot

Well, obviously this wasn't a tough read since I read it last night and still went to sleep by one. But, I enjoyed it. For awhile I was nervous about who Lizzie would end up with, but like a good chick flick it ended how I wanted it to. This is a cute series, I recommend it and I will look for more of Ms. Cabot's books when I need a fun, easy ready. I also liked that there wasn't over the top sex scenes and ugly language.

Queen of Babble in the Big City

Meg Cabot

I think I read the Queen of Babble in 2007, so it took me a few chapters to remember what happened last, but this was a cute chick flick book and part of a good series. I liked the plot and that the main character seems to be bettering herself as we go along. I am about to start the next one because Ms. Cabot left a great cliff hanger. I hope it goes how I am guessing it does, but I won't say too much and ruin it in case you read it. Just remember start with Queen of Babble, not this one it is 2 of 3.

The Shack

Well, I did squeeze in one last read in 2008. The Shack. I think this is a great book. It definitely challenged my semi-open minded C of C view of things. There are some aspects that were very hard for me to agree with and others that I think were so good for me to read. I am very glad I stuck with it and finished the book even though it was hard at times.