Size 12 is Not Fat

Size 12 is not Fat by Meg Cabot

Finished July 30th, 2007

Rating: 6/10

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #4


This was my first Meg Cabot book and it was a very light and easy read.

The story is about a twenty-something former teen pop star named Heather Wells. She has lost her fortune and takes a job as an assistant residence hall director. There are some deaths at the college that seem suspicious to Heather. She plays detective as she investigates the deaths as she trys to prove foul play is involved.

While I did enjoy the book, I did find some of the writing to be annoying because at times it didn't flow well. I will try some more books by Cabot when I am in the mood for something light.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
by J.K. Rowling


Finished July 27th, 2007


Rating: 10/10



I am very sad that there will be no more Harry Potter books. I found myself not wanting to put the book down however at the same time reading slowly so I wouldn't reach the end.

The only negative thing I can say about the book was that I wished that the other characters had more face time. The story focused on Harry, Ron and Hermoine's journey however I do understand that the plot called for this.

I wish I had re-read the Order of the Phoenix and the Half-Blood Prince before I started this book. There were times it was hard for me to follow the storyline because I couldn't remember what happened in these books since it has been 2 and 4 years since I have read them. I did think that Rowling does a good job of reminding the reader of details that are important from the previous books without overdoing it.

Rowling did an excellent job of wrapping up the story and I think most Harry Potter fans will be happy with the ending.

Unread Authors Challenge

I have many books sitting on my shelves by authors I have never read before so this is the perfect challenge for me.

The Challenge will run from September to February 2008. The challenge is being hosted by Sycorax Pine and more details can be found on her blog. The rules are:

1) Read six books by authors you have never read before.

2) You can choose one or two (or 3-5) unread authors and read several of their works, or you can choose six neglected (by you) writers and read a book apiece by them. Authors of fiction, non-fiction, genre fiction, graphic novels/comics, drama, and poetry are all welcome inclusions, although the individual works you choose should be book length.

My list for this challenge is:

Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards
Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes
Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Finished July 22nd, 2007

Rating: 9/10

Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge Book #1



I loved this book. It tells the tale of two girls who grow up in 19th century China. They are bonded together as laotongs which establishes a deep friendship between the two for life, very much like a marriage. There are ups and downs as the girls encounter obstacles as they go through the stages of their lives from marriage to motherhood.

I loved learning about the Chinese culture in this book. The book reminded me so much of Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden which is one of my favourite books. I found the book to be sadder then Memoirs of a Geisha as a misunderstanding arises between the women when they are older.

I highly recommend this book especially if you liked Memoirs of a Geisha.

The Terminal Man

The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton

Finished July 14th, 2007

Rating: 4/10

Decades Challenge Book #6 (1970s)



I haven't had much luck with the last couple of Crichton books that I have read. I thought that maybe because this book was from his earlier works that I might enjoy it more however that was not the case. The book was written in the early seventies and that is when it takes place. It is about a man who has seizures which causes him to be violent. A team of medical professionals operate on the man to try to control the seizures but are unsuccessful. There really was no climax in this book and then it just ended abruptly. I do not recommend this book, I was very disappointed.

Whispers and Lies

Whispers and Lies by Joy Fielding

Finished July 8th, 2007

Rating: 7/10

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #3



From the Publisher
A suspenseful tale of a woman who rents out the small cottage behind her house to a mysterious young stranger, Joy Fielding’s latest novel is about trusting and not trusting one’s instincts. Terry Painter is hooked from the very first meeting with her prospective new tenant. Alison Simms spots the rental notice posted in the hospital, and blows into Terry’s life like a tropical storm. Alison loves the cottage, right down to the colour combination, and moves in immediately. Terry, usually responsible and pragmatic, surprises herself for failing even to ask for references, but she is drawn instinctively to Alison, and realises she wants her to stay. Alison fills a gap in her life, bringing friendship and warmth.

Yet almost simultaneously, Terry begins to have suspicions about Alison. How much does she know about her, really? Alison has some strange habits and stranger friends. She has a limitless supply of cash in her purse, and knows the house so well it’s as if she’s been in it before. Her reasons for coming to Delray don’t quite add up, and she won’t talk about her parents: “We weren’t on the best of terms.” Moreover, Terry notices a shadowy figure lurking around her house, and starts to receive disturbing phone calls. Snippets of overheard conversation, surreptitious glances in Alison’s diary, and her mother’s nagging voice in her head make Terry paranoid that her tenant may want to do her harm.


For a mystery, it was a little slow at times. I thought I had the ending figured out and the author really through me for a loop and provided an unexpected ending. Overall I enjoyed it and will read more from this author.

The Road

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Finished July 4th, 2007

Rating: 9/10

Dystopian Challenge Book #3

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #1



I wasn't sure what to expect from this book as I have heard you either love it or hate it. It was hard for me to get into this book at the beginning however after about 75 pages into the book it was hard for me to put it down.

The book describes the journey of a Father and Son through postapocalyptic America and is bleak and haunting.

I was very curious about what happened to make America this way and whether it was restricted to the US or whether it happened to the whole world? You never do find out what happened and perhaps that is the point. I also found it interesting that the characters were not given names.

After finishing the book I was a little disappointed about certain aspects about the book such as the ending and no real plot however I now realize that these are the things that made the book. It was more about the journey rather than the destination and not about finding out how certain things came to be but about how the Father and Son dealt with them.

It is a book that lingers with you after you have finished reading it.

June 2007 Reads

June was a good month for me in terms of reading as I read 8 books.

28. Summer Sisters by Judy Blume - Rating: 8

29. The Pact by Jodi Picoult - Rating: 8

30. The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier - Rating: 5
[Non-Fiction Five Challenge]

31. Shock by Robin Cook - Rating: 4
[Medical Mystery Madness Challenge]

32. A Passage to India by E.M. Forster - Rating: 6
[Decades Challenge]

33. Harvest by Tess Gerritsen - Rating: 9
[Medical Mystery Madness Challenge & Summer Mystery Reading Challenge]

34. A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton - Rating: 6
[Summer Mystery Reading Challenge]

35. French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano - Rating: 8
[Non-Fiction Five Challenge]

New Authors Read = 5
Male Authors = 3
Female Authors = 5