The Lucky One

This book was pretty good. Not Nicholas Spark's best, but I'm still glad I read it. The story does have a sappy ending, which is more than most of his sad ending stories. I didn't feel the depression and regret I feel when I have read some of his other books.

My Favorite Mistake

I'm a sucker for first loves coming back and finding each other, so of course I loved this book. (I did marry my high school sweetheart) The main character's sister sort of annoyed me with her antics, but it is still going on my keeper shelf!

Chains

This book is historical fiction at it's best. I will be shocked if this book doesn't win either a Newbery or Coretta Scott King award this year. Every moment is breathtaking. And it has so much history. It is amazing how the author wove in all of the actual events with the character. I was never bored, it fact most of the time I was on the edge of my seat. I read this book in one day, which doesn't happen much with me. I can't wait for the next one to come out.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963

I hate it when a book gets too hyped up for me. It wasn't that I didn't like this books, but I was disappointed because it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. It is a very cute and funny story with a very realistic family. I found myself laughing out loud at many of the parts. With that being said, I thought there was going to be more time spent down in Birmingham. I love historical fiction and I wanted to learn more about how things actually were down there, not just a church bombing. I can see why most of the book doesn't take place there. You fall in love with this family so what happens to them is essentially more important, or meaningful, but I just thought it would be a bigger picture of the way things were in the south. I'm glad I read it though.

A Mango-Shaped Space

Another keeper- For some reason, maybe because I am now a middle-school teacher, I am really into coming-of-age books. I just think there is something fascinating and comforting about someone becoming comfortable in their own skin. This book is about a girl names Mia who has synesthesia, which I had never heard of before. She has certain colors for all numbers, letters, and sounds that appear when she sees or hears them. But that is defiantly not all this book is about. Trust me- you gotta read this!

The Last Summer (of You and Me)

Loved this book!!! It is going on my keeper shelf! It deals with all of life's hurtles- love, family, friendship, death, and growing up. Everything, even though sad at times, comes together perfectly. I especially connected with the discussions of still growing up even when you're in your 20s- and I believe even beyond that. It is comforting to think that although everything that has happened in the past and present shapes us, we are still and will never be who we are yet to become.

The Great Gilly Hopkins

I loved, LOVED this book. So many people have recommended it to me and i even remember wanting to read it when I was in elementary school. At first I was unhappy with the ending. You can see how Gilly grows throughout the book, but it isn't in your face. Usually I hate an ending that I don't feel like is an ending. You don't feel completely done with the story, but at the same time I like thinking about how it will turn out. Gilly goes from being wanted and feeling lonely and sorry for herself to the girl who is making someone else not lonely- sorry that wording isn't good, but it is the only way I could think to say it.

A Year Down Younder

Even better than the first book. This book is still full of Grandma's antics but it is also somewhat of a coming of age story for Mary Alice. And what's most impressive is what she takes away from Grandma. Reading this was a fresh perspective for me, since it is set during the depression, on these hard economic times!

A Long Way From Chicago

I have heard a lot about Richard Peck's children's books, mainly how funny they were, so I have been wanting to read this for a long time. I was not impressed at all to begin with, but after I finished it, I felt very satisfied. Each chapter is a week that two children spend with their grandmother. Peck did a great job of showing the children growing every year, and how that worked with their crazy grandmother's schemes. I can't wait to read the next book.

The Secret Life of Bees

I have picked up this book several times, but couldn't get into it. I finally made myself read the first few chapters and I was relieved I didn't want to put it down. I absolutely loved these women. I think it is the first modern novel I have ever read that I think women will still be reading hundreds of years from now. It is a true classic to keep on your bookshelf, a coming of age story that even an adult can relate to.

Story Telling By: Tori Spelling

Okay I know your asking me why on earth I read this book, and more importantly why am I admitting to reading this book? It all started, well to be honest before I can even remember, when I became obsessed with celebrities. I remember my Mama Jean (my dad's mom) getting people magazine and I would look through all of her past issues. Then in Junior High and High School I faithfully watched 90210. So a few months ago one of my new teacher friends and I were getting to know each other and somehow my subscription to US Weekly and addiction to watching E! News every night came up. We began talking about all the ridiculous celeb-reality shows that are out there these days- which she hates and I love. She said the only one she actually enjoyed was the one with Tori Spelling in it, which amazingly I had never had the desire to watched. Well it just so happened that I caught an episode that week (the week before the season finale) and saw that they were having a marathon that weekend, so of course I DVRed every one. A lot of that season was about the book, and needless to say, I immediately ordered it one Amazon.

Okay, now that I feel better about defending myself for reading the book- I loved it. Now if you don't care anything about celebrities, especially ones that aren't A list like Tori Spelling, I doubt you would like this book. After watching a few episodes of her and Dean's show, I was amazed at how real they were. I've watched a lot of celeb shows, and most of them are about shopping, drinking, partying, etc. Tori is nothing like that. Her and her friends are so real. At least they come off as that way. In the book, Tori gives a look into the life that many kids and adults would die to have. But it was never about what she wanted. Yeah, I can hear you saying oh poor little rich girl, but who cares how much money is spent on you if it is never about what you want. She proves that she is happier now than ever, without all the glitz and glam her childhood brought her. There were several times in the book where I found myself laughing out loud. She tells about all her experiences, how she was unhappy, and the greatest times of her life without coming across that she is better than people or that she wants you to feel sorry for her. She does a great job of just being honest- telling it like it was- for better or for worse. And the most amazing part of it all is her ability to make fun of herself!

Shoe Addicts Anonymous

Cute story, fun characters- I enjoyed it.

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons

A must, must read for any woman who has enjoyed other women's friendship. I have never laughed and cried so much in a book. And the scariest thing was I could see myself and my friends in so many situations and aspects. It almost gave me a calming feeling that everything is going to be okay, which trust me, I needed that feeling right about now. You will feel so drawn into these women's lives that you'll be sad when you havta leave.

Tuck Everlasting

Okay.... biggest book disappoint of the year. I can't count or begin to remember how many people have told me how this is a children's classic that everyone needs to read multiple times in their life. It absolutely did nothing for me. It had a promising start but then it ended. Literally. It was like reading only a third of what seemed like a really good book and then never picking it up again.

Can You Keep a Secret?

I'm not the biggest fan of the Shopaholic Series (even though I can't wait to see the movie) so I was super surprised how obsessive I became in reading this book. I just think it is absolutely the cutest. I really loved everything about the plot, the characters, and how warm it made me feel. It was a great escape from real life. I hope they make this and The Undomestic Goddess into movies.

The Sunday Wife

Okay I fully realize I'm about to contradict myself, but I don't know how else to tell how I felt about this book. First, the reviews really hyped me up. I have to admit as an overall story, this book was very powerful, haunting in a way. I couldn't stop thinking about the overall picture, or meaning behind it. The power of love- obsessive love that is. I have sadly known people who went pretty crazy when with certain people, so I could almost see the power in that. The only part I had a problem with was the over-exaggerated view of the south. AKA the Bible Belt. It just seemed to be shown in a very negative way, which I couldn't get away from. Yea... I'm one of those that has trouble separating church and state.

Twilight Series

I am very sad that I created this blog a month ago today and since then I have only finished one book and I am just now writing about it. I am ashamed. This is so unlike me, but I vow to be better. I did want to put my thoughts down about the final book in the Twilight Series, Breaking Dawn, by Stephanie Meyer. First of all- I absolutely loved all of these books. The first one was by far the best, but I throughly enjoyed each of them. I have to admit I am a little troubled by the ending... I wonder if the series is truly over. I don't want to give away what happens to those who have not read the series yet, but, even though it all came together, I felt like it was too easy, too simple. The true problems were not solved. I still think there will be a huge showdown between the Cullens and the Volturi. And I still think the story between Jacob and Renesmee needs to be told. I did think the... hmmm... what is the word... the way Edward and Bella finally got to be together very satisfying, but I would have liked the wedding, honeymoon, etc. to have lasted longer. That was something I felt everyone was waiting on and it wasn't emphasized enough in the book. Overall, Breaking Dawn was very satisfying.

For Shannon

I have decided to move away from one of my favorite cities on Earth, Knoxville, TN! The reasons are not important, but I will miss my friends, one in particular, so I am starting a book blog. I am losing one of my few friends that I could literally talk about books for hours with. She has one, so in copycat format, I am starting one so or conversations will continue, even though I'm sure my will look pathetic in size, both writings and amount of books read, in insightful thinking, and finally in quality of books read. What can I can, I love children's books and beach reads...