Pamela

Forever Odd

2008-06-18T15:28:00.000-04:00

Forever Odd by Dean Koontz

Finished June 18th, 2008

Rating: 4/10

2008 To Be Read (TBR) Challenge Book #3

Barnes & Noble Synopsis
We're all a little odd beneath the surface. He's the most unlikely hero you'll ever meet-an ordinary guy with a modest job you might never look at twice. But there's so much more to any of us than meets the eye-and that goes triple for Odd Thomas. For Odd lives always between two worlds in the small desert town of Pico Mundo, where the heroic and the harrowing are everyday events. Odd never asked to communicate with the dead-it's something that just happened. But as the unofficial goodwill ambassador between our world and theirs, he's got a duty to do the right thing. That's the way Odd sees it and that's why he's won hearts on both sides of the divide between life and death.

A childhood friend of Odd's has disappeared. The worst is feared. But as Odd applies his unique talents to the task of finding the missing person, he discovers something worse than a dead body, encounters an enemy of exceptional cunning, and spirals into a vortex of terror. Once again Odd will stand against our worst fears. Around him will gather new allies and old, some living and some not. For in the battle to come, there can be no innocent bystanders, and every sacrifice can tip the balance between despair and hope.

It had been a while since I have read a Koontz book and I was pretty excited to read this one since I really liked "Odd Thomas". However I was extremely disappointed in this book. The plot was very weak and I didn't feel there was any additional development of Odd's character.

Remember Me?

2008-06-10T14:02:00.000-04:00

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

Finished June 10th, 2008

Rating: 7/10

Chick Lit Challenge Book #1

Barnes & Noble Synopsis

When twenty-eight-year-old Lexi Smart wakes up in a London hospital, she’s in for a big surprise. Her teeth are perfect. Her body is toned. Her handbag is Vuitton. Having survived a car accident—in a Mercedes no less—Lexi has lost a big chunk of her memory, three years to be exact, and she’s about to find out just how much things have changed.

Somehow Lexi went from a twenty-five-year-old working girl to a corporate big shot with a sleek new loft, a personal assistant, a carb-free diet, and a set of glamorous new friends. And who is this gorgeous husband—who also happens to be a multimillionaire? With her mind still stuck three years in reverse, Lexi greets this brave new world determined to be the person she…well, seems to be. That is, until an adorably disheveled architect drops the biggest bombshell of all.

Suddenly Lexi is scrambling to catch her balance. Her new life, it turns out, comes complete with secrets, schemes, and intrigue. How on earth did all this happen? Will she ever remember? And what will happen when she does?

The book reminded me of the movie "13 going on 30" so I didn't find it very original. Regardless, it was an enjoyable, easy read but I didn't find it as funny as some of her other books.

Book Awards Reading Challenge Completed

2008-06-07T22:12:00.002-04:00

I have completed my first challenge of 2008. I enjoyed most of the books I read for this challenge. I am not sure if I will sign up for the Book Awards challenge Part II as I am not reading a lot right now.

Well I held off for as long as I could in signing up for the Book Awards Reading Challenge however finally cracked yesterday and decided to join after taking a look at different book award lists and realizing that I owned many books that have won awards but hadn't gotten around to reading yet.

The rules are to read any 12 award-winning books from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Examples of book awards are the Pulitzer Prize, Orange Prize, Booker Prize, Newbery Award, etc. The challenge also allows the participants to read any book from an author who has won the Nobel Prize for Literature. However, at least SIX of the twelve books must be actual book prize winners. Books may also be cross-posted with other challenges.

There is a blog set up for this challenge at Book Awards Challenge that allows participants to post to or participants can choose instead to post on their own blog.

My tenative list for the challenge is:

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt - 1997 Pulitzer (Biography/Autobiography)
[completed April 18th, 2008]

B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton - 1986 Anthony
[completed October 20th, 2007]

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly - 1992 Edgar Award (First Novel)
[completed August 13th, 2007]

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak - 2007 Book Sense (Children's Lit)
[completed March 12th, 2008]

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen - 2001 National Book Award
[completed June 2nd, 2008]

Eldest by Christopher Paolini - 2006 Quill Awards (Young Adult/Teen)
[completed March 31st, 2008]

Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald - 1997 Commonwealth Writers (First Book)
[completed May 14th, 2008]

The Road by Cormac McCarthy - 2007 Pulitzer (Fiction)
[completed July 4th, 2007]

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry - 1990 Newbery Award
[completed April 23rd, 2008]

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck - 1962 Nobel Prize
[completed September 22nd, 2007]

Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky - 2004 Prix Renaudot
[completed April 10th, 2008]

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - 2007 Alex Award
[completed February 26th, 2008]

The Corrections

2008-06-02T20:50:00.001-04:00

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

Finished June 2nd, 2008

Rating: 3/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #12

Barnes & Noble Synopsis

The narrative focuses on three critical months in the history of the Lambert family, longtime residents of the fictional midwestern city of St. Jude. Albert, the patriarch, is a once-formidable figure whose frequent rages and implacable rectitude have dominated life in the Lambert household for nearly 50 years. As the novel begins, Albert had just been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Against the perfectly articulated background of his physical and mental deterioration, Enid -- Albert's long-suffering, perpetually dissatisfied wife -- develops a single, overriding obsession: to see her scattered family return to St. Jude for one last Christmas together.

The bulk of the story depicts the disordered lives of the three departed Lambert children: Gary, a grasping, increasingly unhappy investment banker with family troubles of his own; Chip, a former professor and failed screenwriter who drifts into a dangerous, highly illegal investment scam in economically depressed Lithuania; and Denise, a gifted chef lost in a maze of sexual confusion and "moral chaos." In time, and by various circuitous routes, all three will find their way to that climactic Christmas in St. Jude, and to a final confrontation with the ghosts of the past, a confrontation that is painful, tragic, and liberating, all at once.

I found that this book was all over the place. The story jumps between characters and from past to present but with very little fluency. I didn't see the point of most of the storyline and didn't like the characters or plot. I didn't take anything away from the book after finishing it, I would suggest skipping this one.

May 2008 Reads

2008-06-01T21:59:00.000-04:00

15. The Birth House by Ami McKay - Rating: 9
[2008 TBR Challenge]

16. Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald - Rating: 7
[Book Awards Challenge]

17. Peony in Love by Lisa See - Rating: 7
[2008 TBR Challenge]

New Authors Read = 2
Male Authors = 0
Female Authors = 3

Peony in Love

2008-05-23T20:33:00.000-04:00

Peony in Love by Lisa See

Finished May 23rd, 2008

Rating: 7/10

2008 To Be Read (TBR) Challenge #2

From the Publisher
For young Peony, betrothed to a suitor she has never met, these lyrics from The Peony Pavilion mirror her own longings. In the garden of the Chen Family Villa, amid the scent of ginger, green tea, and jasmine, a small theatrical troupe is performing scenes from this epic opera, a live spectacle few females have ever seen. Like the heroine in the drama, Peony is the cloistered daughter of a wealthy family, trapped like a good-luck cricket in a bamboo-and-lacquer cage. Though raised to be obedient, Peony has dreams of her own.

Peony’s mother is against her daughter’s attending the production: “Unmarried girls should not be seen in public.” But Peony’s father assures his wife that proprieties will be maintained, and that the women will watch the opera from behind a screen. Yet through its cracks, Peony catches sight of an elegant, handsome man with hair as black as a cave–and is immediately overcome with emotion.

So begins Peony’s unforgettable journey of love and destiny, desire and sorrow–as Lisa See’s haunting new novel, based on actual historical events, takes readers back to seventeenth-century China, after the Manchus seize power and the Ming dynasty is crushed.

The story took a turn I was not expecting at all and at first I really didn't like the turn it took. As the story progesses I started to appreciate where the author takes the story. The book is rich in Chinese traditions and customs which I found fascinating. While it isn't as good as Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, it is still a solid book and I rated it as good.

Chick Lit Challenge

2008-05-17T12:48:00.005-04:00

I have been limiting the number of challenges that I sign up for as I don't have much time to read with a newborn baby. But I couldn't resist signing up for this one as it has been a while since I have read some good chick lit.

Debi is hosting this challenge and the rules can be found by clicking here.

The 3 books I have chosen for this challenge are:

Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner

Fall on Your Knees

2008-05-14T12:12:00.000-04:00

Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald

Finished May 14th, 2008

Rating: 7/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #11

Synopsis
The Piper family is steeped in secrets, lies, and unspoken truths. At the eye of the storm is one secret that threatens to shake their lives -- even destroy them.

Set on stormy Cape Breton Island off Nova Scotia, Fall on Your Knees is an internationally acclaimed multigenerational saga that chronicles the lives of four unforgettable sisters. Theirs is a world filled with driving ambition, inescapable family bonds, and forbidden love.

Compellingly written, by turns menacingly dark and hilariously funny, this is an epic tale of five generations of sin, guilt, and redemption.

I had my ups and downs with this book. At times I really liked it and other times, not so much. I am not sure about the writing style as I felt confused at times reading the book. I had to re-read certain parts to make sure I understood what the author was trying to say. In the end the book did come together for me but the journey there had too many downs for me to rate it higher than a 7.

The Birth House

2008-05-03T19:00:00.002-04:00

The Birth House by Ami McKay

Finished May 3rd, 2008

Rating: 9/10

2008 To Be Read (TBR) Challenge #1

Barnes & Noble Synopsis
The Birth House is the story of Dora Rare, the first daughter to be born in five generations of Rares. As a child in an isolated village in Nova Scotia, she is drawn to Miss Babineau, an outspoken Acadian midwife with a gift for healing. Dora becomes Miss B.’s apprentice, and together they help the women of Scots Bay through infertility, difficult labours, breech births, unwanted pregnancies and even unfulfilling sex lives. Filled with details as compelling as they are surprising, The Birth House is an unforgettable tale of the struggles women have faced to have control of their own bodies and to keep the best parts of tradition alive in the world of modern medicine.

I was drawn to this book after I had my baby, as I was interested in reading more about midwifery. I thought the book was excellent. I really enjoyed the plot and writing style of the author, I especially liked how the author used different means to tell the story such as newspaper articles and ads, etc.

April 2008 Reads

2008-05-01T12:40:00.000-04:00

11. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky - Rating: 8
[Book Awards Challenge]

12. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt - Rating: 6
[Book Awards Challenge]

13. Baby Laughs by Jenny McCarthy - Rating: 8

14. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry - Rating: 9
[Book Awards Challenge]

New Authors Read = 3
Male Authors = 1
Female Authors = 3

Number the Stars

2008-04-25T08:45:00.001-04:00

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Finished April 23rd, 2008

Rating: 9/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #10

Barnes & Noble Synopsis
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated," Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life.

I read "The Giver" by Lowry last year for the Dystopian Challenge and loved it, so thought I would give this book a try for the Book Awards Challenge.

This is the 3rd book in the last 2 months that I have read that is set during World War II and was my favourite that I read. Lowry manages to take a very complex subject and write it in an elegant and simplistic nature which makes the message she is trying to convery all the more powerful. I really enjoy Lowry's writing style and am looking forward to reading more.

Baby Laughs

2008-04-21T11:17:00.005-04:00

Baby Laughs by Jenny McCarthy

Finished April 21st, 2008

Rating: 8/10

Having a 2 and a half month old baby made me pick up this book. It was quite humorous as she describes all of the things moms go through during the first year. It was little crass at times but otherwise a quick, light read where you will find yourself laughing as well as nodding your head in agreement since it is easy to relate to as a mom.

Angela's Ashes

2008-04-18T13:27:00.000-04:00

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt

Finished April 18th, 2008

Rating: 6/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #9

This book started out fast and furious as the author jumped right into it telling his life story. I wasn't too keen on the writing style at first however as I started to get further into the book I did enjoy it a little more.

I found myself comparing the book to a similar Memoir "The Glass Castle" where the family also struggles to make ends meet and whose father also has a drinking problem and spends his earnings (when he does have a job) on alcohol. I didn't enjoy this book as much as The Glass Castle due to the writing style.

The book ends when Frank is 19 so I guess there must be a sequel to continue his story however I don't think I will be picking it up anytime soon.

Suite Francaise

2008-04-10T17:50:00.001-04:00

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

Finished April 10, 2008

Rating: 8/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #8

It is very difficult to rate this book given it is unfinished as the author only finished 2 out of the 5 parts of the book. The author wrote the book during World War II and never had a chance to finish it as she was sent to one of the concentration camps and died shortly after arriving. From what I did read I enjoyed and based on this would have to assume that if the author had a chance to finish the book I would have liked the subsequent parts and ending.

March 2008 Reads

2008-04-04T13:07:00.000-04:00

9. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - Rating: 6
[Book Awards Challenge]

10. Eldest by Christopher Paolini - Rating: 8
[Book Awards Challenge]

New Authors Read = 1
Male Authors = 2
Female Authors = 0

Eldest

2008-04-01T20:01:00.001-04:00

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

Finished March 31st, 2008

Rating: 8/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #7

I was going to rate this book lower then the first book in the series however the last 50 pages made me change my mind and I decided to rate it the same. Most of the storyline is about Eragon's training with the elves however I didn't feel like I was learning anything new about the characters or the storyline until about the last 50 pages when a major battle takes place and some secrets are revealed. I liked that there was a second storyline going on besides Eragon's training with the elves which was about Eragon's cousin Roran which added to the plot and made me like the book better.

February 2008 Reads

2008-03-31T17:45:00.000-04:00

5. Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman - Rating: 8
[Unread Authors Challenge]

6. Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes - Rating: 2
[Unread Authors Challenge]

7. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer - Rating: 8
[Unread Authors Challenge]

8. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - Rating: 7
[Book Awards Challenge]

New Authors Read = 3
Male Authors = 0
Female Authors = 4

The Book Thief

2008-03-30T16:50:00.001-04:00

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Finished March 12th, 2008

Rating: 6/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #6

Missing In Action

2008-03-29T12:55:00.000-04:00

I had my baby about 6 weeks ago so needless to say I haven't had much time to read or blog. I did manage to finish 2 books since he was born and am working on my third and am hoping to continue to read about 2 books a month. I will likely not have much time to write reviews so I am thinking I will just rate the books out of 10on my blog going forward until I have more time on my hands to do reviews.

Water for Elephants

2008-03-23T12:53:00.001-04:00

Water for Elephants

Finished February 26th, 2008

Rating: 7/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #5

Synopsis

As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

An entertaining book however I was not blown away by it. I did find it difficult at times to read about some of the animal cruelty that takes place in the book. It was a good solid book but not a page turner for me.

Unread Authors Challenge Completed

2008-03-06T18:24:00.000-05:00

I completed the Unread Authors Challenge about a month ago but haven't had a chance to update my blog with a summary. I really enjoyed this challenge as I got to read books by new authors. There was only 1 book I really disliked and I ended up finding some new authors to read going forward such as Stephenie Meyer and Anna Quindlen.

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 [completed Jan. 21st, 2008]
Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes [completed Feb. 7th, 2008]
Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman [completed Feb. 3rd, 2008]
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer [completed Jan. 29th, 2008]
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer [completed Feb. 11th, 2008]
Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen [completed Jan. 7th, 2008]

New Moon

2008-02-11T18:56:00.000-05:00

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Finished February 11th, 2008

Rating: 8/10

Unread Authors Challenge Book #6

From the Publisher
The "star-crossed" lovers theme continues as Bella and Edward find themselves facing new obstacles, including a devastating separation, the mysterious appearance of dangerous wolves roaming the forest in Forks, a terrifying threat of revenge from a female vampire and a deliciously sinister encounter with Italy''s reigning royal family of vampires, the Volturi. Passionate, riveting, and full of surprising twists and turns, this vampire love saga is well on its way to literary immortality.

Although the Cullens were missing for most of the book I still enjoyed the storyline with Jacob. I found the love developing between Bella and Jacob to be much more realistic than the love storyline between Bella/Edward. I found Bella to be really annoying and weak until she started to develop a relationship with Jacob. After that she was much more tolerable. I ended up enjoying this one slightly better than the first so it got a higher rating.

Mother of Pearl

2008-02-07T18:16:00.000-05:00

Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes

Finished February 7th, 2008

Rating: 2/10

Unread Authors Challenge Book #5

From Barnes & Noble
Set in the Deep South in the late 1950s, Mother of Pearl vividly brings to life the extraordinary inhabitants of the small town of Petal, Mississippi. Central to the novel are the stories of Even Grade, a 28-year-old black man abandoned by his mother at birth, Valuable Korner, a 15-year-old white girl whose family history holds a trunkful of damning secrets, and Joody Two Sun, an enigmatic obeah woman who sees into the hearts and minds of the townsfolk from her riverside camp on the outskirts of town. Cast in a tragicomic passion play, Even, Val, and Joody find their destinies entwined as they search for the love and family that they have always been denied.

I knew about 60 pages in that I didn't like this book but I have this compulsive need to finish books that I start, I really need to get over that as the book never got any better. I found the writing to be confusing as it jumped around a lot. I didn't enjoy the storylines at all and just found it to be so boring. My first bad book of the year, hopefully they will be few and far between going forward.

Here on Earth

2008-02-03T11:21:00.000-05:00

Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman

Finished February 3rd, 2008

Rating: 8/10

Unread Authors Challenge Book #4

From the Publisher
March Murray, along with her fifteen-year-old daughter, Gwen, returns to the small Massachusetts town where she grew up to attend the funeral of Judith Dale, the beloved housekeeper who raised her. After nearly twenty years of living in California, March is thrust into the world of her past. She finds that Mrs. Dale knew more of life than March could have ever suspected; that her brother Alan, whose tragic history has left him grief-stricken, has turned to alcohol as his only solace; and that Hollis, the boy she once loved, is the man she can't seem to stay away from.

This one was another winner for the Unread Authors Challenge. The author does a good job of making you care about the characters even though it is very difficult to like them. She takes you through a myriad of different emotions throughout the book as she allows the characters to grow even if the reader does not like the path in which they are growing. If you are looking for a happy ending, you are not going to find it with this book however it was very good read.

January 2008 Reads

2008-02-02T14:30:00.000-05:00

1. Mary Mary by James Patterson - Rating: 7
[Reading the Author Challenge]

2. Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen - Rating: 9
[Unread Authors Challenge]

3. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards - Rating: 6
[Unread Authors Challenge]

4. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - Rating: 7
[Unread Authors Challenge]

New Authors Read = 3
Male Authors = 1
Female Authors = 3

Twilight

2008-01-30T19:01:00.000-05:00

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Finished January 29th, 2008

Rating: 7/10

Unread Authors Challenge Book #3

From Barnes and Noble

17-year-old Isabella moves to a small town in Washington State and gets more excitement than she bargained for when she falls for an enigmatic classmate -- who happens to be a vampire.

I was really excited to read this book as my fellow bloggers seem to have nothing but rave reviews for this series. I am also a big fan of the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer so this book was right up my alley. The book was good however I was not blown away by it as I expected to be. I think my expectations were so high I couldn't help but be a little disappointed. The writing was a little weak and I found the interaction between Bella and Edward to be somewhat odd. It just seemed liked all of sudden they were in love with each other. I may be in the minority but I don't think the author did a good job of conveying how the love developed between them as I didn't buy it at times. A good book but I wouldn't say a great book.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

2008-01-23T18:29:00.000-05:00

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Finished January 21st, 2007

Rating: 6/10

Unread Authors Challenge Book #2

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble
On a winter night in 1964, Dr. David Henry is forced by a blizzard to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy. Yet when his daughter is born, he sees immediately that she has Down's Syndrome. Rationalizing it as a need to protect Norah, his wife, he makes a split-second decision that will alter all of their lives forever. He asks his nurse to take the baby away to an institution and never to reveal the secret.

But Caroline, the nurse, cannot leave the infant. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child herself. So begins this beautifully told story that unfolds over a quarter of a century in which these two families, ignorant of each other, are yet bound by the fateful decision made that long-ago winter night.

This book was an okay read for me however I don't think I would recommend it to others. I struggled a little bit throughout the book as I found that the book didn't hold my attention for very long. The plot had a lot of potential but unfortunately the characters didn't touch me and I found the story ended up being weak.

Black and Blue

2008-01-12T19:33:00.000-05:00

Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen

Finished January 7th, 2008

Rating: 9/10

Unread Authors Challenge Book #1

From the Publisher
With daring and compassion, Anna Quindlen weaves a forceful, harrowing portrait of a woman and a marriage, capturing the profound intricacies of love and rage, passion and violence. At once heartbreaking and utterly riveting, BLACK AND BLUE is an extraordinary work of fiction and a brilliant achievement.

For eighteen years, Fran Benedetto kept her secret, hid her bruises, and stayed with Bobby because she wanted her son to have a father and because, in spite of everything, she loved him. Then one night, when she saw the look on her ten-year-old son's face, Fran finally made a choice--and ran for both their lives.

What a great read for my 2nd read of 2008. The plot wasn't over the top as Quindlen takes such a complex topic and manages to write a simple and realistic story about domestic violence. This was the first time I have read a book by Quindlen and I look forward to reading some more by her.

Mary Mary

2008-01-05T15:39:00.000-05:00

Mary Mary by James Patterson

Finished January 3rd, 2008

Rating: 7/10

Reading the Author Challenge Book #4 - DNF before challenge ended

No review for this one either.

Year in Review

2008-01-04T15:38:00.000-05:00

Total Reads for 2007 = 64

Challenges

Challenges Signed Up for that ended by Dec. 31st, 2007 = 8

Challenges Completed = 7
2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge
Non-Fiction Five Challenge
Dystopian Challenge
Medical Mystery Madness Challenge
Decades Challenge
2nds Challenge
The Armchair Traveler Challenge

Challenges Not Completed = 1
Reading the Author Challenge

New Authors = 28

Female Authors = 30

Male Authors = 34

Favourite Books of 2007 - Rating of 9 or above out of 10:
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Harvest by Tess Gerritsen
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Least Favourite Book of 2007 - lowest rating of 2/10:
Brick Lane by Monica Ali

Least Productive Month:
February, October, November and December with 4 books read

Most Productive Month:
June with 8 books read

Romance Reading Challenge

2008-01-03T18:33:00.000-05:00

Naida has sponsored the Romance Reading Challenge over on the Bookworm site.

The rules are to read 5 Romance Novels from January 1st, 2008 to December 31st, 2008.

The books I have chosen for this challenge are:

Lovers & Players by Jackie Collins
At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
Miracle by Danielle Steel
Toxic Bachelors by Danielle Steel

December 2007 Reads

2008-01-02T20:16:00.000-05:00

61. The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith - Rating: 4
[Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge]

62. Bloodstream by Tess Gerritsen - Rating: 8
[2nds Challenge]

63. Brick Lane by Monica Ali - Rating: 2
[Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge]

64. Lifeguard by James Patterson - Rating: 8
[Reading the Author Challenge]

New Authors Read = 1
Male Authors = 2
Female Authors = 2

Reading the Author Challenge - Did Not Complete

2008-01-01T20:03:00.000-05:00

This is the first challenge that I signed up for that I just wasn't able to finish in time. I was able to finish 3 out of the 5 books I selected for the challenge. I plan on finishing the final 2 books over the next week.

The Reading the Author challenge is being hosted by Incurable Logophilia.

The premise of the challenge is read at least 3 books by one author from September 1st, 2007 until December 31st, 2007.

This challenge is a great excuse for me to get caught up on books by James Patterson. I have only read 1 book by him this year and have 10 to read to get caught up to his latest book.

My book choices for this challenge are:

Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson

Honeymoon by James Patterson

Lifeguard by James Patterson

Mary Mary by James Patterson

Beach Road by James Patterson

Lifeguard

2007-12-31T19:38:00.000-05:00

Lifeguard by James Patterson

Finished December 30th, 2007

Rating: 8/10

Reading the Author Challenge Book #3

No review for this one, just a rating of 8 out of 10.

Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge Completed

2007-12-29T15:02:00.000-05:00

I just completed this challenge in the nick of time. The challenge introduced me to two new authors that I really enjoyed (Philippa Gregory and Lisa See). It's been a fun challenge traveling around the world!

Lesley located at A Life in Books is holding The Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge.

The challenge runs from July 1 through December 31, 2007 during which time you must read six books that fall under the ‘armchair traveling’ theme.

Fiction or non-fiction works are fine, and do not need to be specifically travel related, as long as the location is integral to the book - I’ll leave that to your discretion. Locations must be actual places that you could visit, so no Middle Earths or galaxies far, far away.

Books may be cross-posted to other challenges, but you cannot count any books read prior to July 1st.

To join, make a post outlining your six choices and link to that post below. Because I like to have a little wiggle room, you can opt to switch out books throughout the challenge.

And yes, there will be prizes!

I think this is the last challenge that I will join for a while until I complete some of my other challenges. My books for this challenge are:

Brick Lane by Monica Ali [Finished Dec. 25th,2007]
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert [Finished Oct. 31st,2007]
The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory [Finished Sept. 2nd,2007]
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini [Finished Nov. 13th,2007]
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See [Finished July 22nd,2007]
The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith [Finished Dec. 7th,2007]

Brick Lane

2007-12-28T08:11:00.000-05:00

Brick Lane by Monica Ali

Finished December 25th, 2007

Rating: 2/10

Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge Book #6

From the Publisher

Monica Ali's gorgeous first novel is the deeply moving story of one woman, Nazneen, born in a Bangladeshi village and transported to London at age eighteen to enter into an arranged marriage.

Nazneen's inauspicious entry into the world, an apparent stillbirth on the hard mud floor of a village hut, imbues in her a sense of fatalism that she carries across continents when she is married off to Chanu, a man old enough to be her father. Nazneen moves to London and, for years, keeps house, cares for her husband, and bears children, just as a girl from the village is supposed to do. But gradually she is transformed by her experience, and begins to question whether fate controls her or whether she has a hand in her own destiny.

Motherhood is a catalyst -- Nazneen's daughters chafe against their father's traditions and pride -- and to her own amazement, Nazneen falls in love with a young man in the community. She discovers both the complexity that comes with free choice and the depth of her attachment to her husband, her daughters, and her new world.
While Nazneen journeys along her path of self-realization, her sister, Hasina, rushes headlong at her life, first making a "love marriage," then fleeing her violent husband. Woven through the novel, Hasina's letters from Dhaka recount a world of overwhelming adversity. Shaped, yet not bound, by their landscapes and memories, both sisters struggle to dream -- and live -- beyond the rules prescribed for them.

I really disliked this book. I didn't enjoy any of it but couldn't bring myself not to finish it once I started it. I didn't connect with the characters and didn't enjoy the writing. It was a painfully slow read. I would recommend skipping this book.

2008 To Be Read Challenge

2007-12-26T19:59:00.000-05:00

I have decided to not sign up for many challenges for 2008 as I am expecting my first child in February so figure I will not have as much time to read as I normally have in the past. However I couldn't resist signing up for this one.

There is a blog set up for this challenge at http://tbrchallenge.blogspot.com/ and the general rules are as follows:

(1) Pick 12 books - one for each month of 2008 - that you've been wanting to read (that have been on your "To Be Read" list) but haven't gotten around to.

(2) The challenge runs from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008.

(3) Your Alternates list can only be 12 books long.

The books I have selected for this challenge are:

Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Divide by Nicholas Evans
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
Gone by Jonathan Kellerman
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Forever Odd by Dean Koontz
The Husband by Dean Koontz
The Birth House by Ami Mckay
Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult
Peony in Love by Lisa See
Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks

Alternatives
Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult
Capital Crimes by Jonathan Kellerman
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Daddy's Little Girl by Mary Higgins Clark

2nds Challenge Completed

2007-12-22T09:19:00.000-05:00

I just recently completed the 2nds Challenge. It was a really good opportunity to read books from authors that you had only previously read one of their books before. All of my reads were Good to Very Good so it was a good challenge for me.

Bloodstream

2007-12-17T12:39:00.000-05:00

Bloodstream by Tess Gerritsen

Finished December 12th, 2007

Rating: 8/10

2nds Challenge Book #3

Barnes & Nobles Synopsis
A terrible epidemic that causes irrational, violent behavior plagues the ironically named small town of Tranquility in Tess Gerritsen's latest medical thriller, Bloodstream. But the town may not be as sleepy and innocent as it appears, and possibly harvests a dark secret that threatens the son of Dr. Claire Elliott.

I was first introduced to the author Tess Gerritsen during the Medical Mystery Madness Challenge. I really enjoyed the book I read for that challenge so decided to choose another book by this author for the 2nds challenge. I originally intended to read Life Support by Gerritsen however it was not available at the library so I went with Bloodstream instead. It was an enjoyable read however there were some loose ends that I would have liked to have seen wrapped up. I am glad I was introduced to this author as she is quickly becoming one of my favourites mystery/thriller authors.

The Full Cupboard of Life

2007-12-09T16:11:00.000-05:00

The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith

Finished December 7th, 2007

Rating: 4/10

Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge Book #5

From the Publisher
In the fifth book in the prodigiously successful series, traditionally built, eminently sensible Mma Precious Ramotswe continues her enterprise at the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency in Gaborone, Botswana, a country that is indeed fortunate.

Still engaged to the estimable Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, Mma Ramotswe understands that she should not put too much pressure on him, as he has other concerns, especially a hair-raising request from the ever persuasive Mma Potokwane, matron of the orphan farm. Besides Mma Ramotswe herself has weighty matters on her mind. She has been approached by a wealthy lady to check up on several suitors. Are these men interested in the lady or just her money? This may be a difficult case, but it's just the kind of problem Mma Ramotswe likes and she is, as we know, a very intuitive lady.

This book was a big disappointment as the storyline was very weak in this one. I enjoy the different cases that Mma Ramotswe works on and having her solve them. However in this installment she only had one case and very little time was spent on it. I'm hoping the next book in the series is better.

November 2007 Reads

2007-12-08T15:58:00.000-05:00

57. Chosen Prey by John Sandford - Rating: 7
[2nds Challenge]

58. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - Rating: 9
[Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge]

59. Honeymoon by James Patterson - Rating: 8
[Reading the Author Challenge]

60. The Ambler Warning by Robert Ludlum - Rating: 7
[2nds Challenge]

New Authors Read = 0
Male Authors = 4
Female Authors = 0

The Ambler Warning

2007-11-29T17:09:00.000-05:00

The Ambler Warning by Robert Ludlum

Finished November 27th, 2007

Rating: 7/10

2nds Challenge Book #2

From the Publisher
On Parrish Island, a restricted island off the coast of Virginia, there is a little known and never visited psychiatric facility. There, far from prying eyes, the government stores former intelligence employees whose psychiatric state make them a danger to their own government, people whose ramblings might endanger ongoing operations or prove dangerously inconvenient.

One of these employees, former Consular Operations agent Hal Ambler, is kept heavily medicated and closely watched. But there’s one difference between Hal and the other patients—Hal isn’t crazy. With the help of a sympathetic nurse, Hal manages to first clear his mind of the drug-induced haze and then pulls off a daring escape. Free, he’s out to discover who stashed him there and why—but the world he returns to isn’t the one he remembers. Friends and longtime associates don’t remember him, there are no official records of Hal Ambler, and when he first sees himself in the mirror, the face that looks back at him is not the one he knows as his own.

I thought this was written by Robert Ludlum but then after I finished the book I read up on Ludlum on Wikipedia. Apparently this book was written posthumously by an unknown ghostwriter who follows Robert Ludlum's style of writing. As this was only my 2nd book by Ludlum I am no expert but the style does seem very similiar to the other book I have read by Ludlum "The Bourne Identity". The storyline was pretty good however I did find the book to be too long.

Honeymoon

2007-11-18T09:55:00.000-05:00

Honeymoon by James Patterson

Finished November 18th, 2007

Rating: 8/10

Reading the Author Challenge Book #2

From the Publisher
How does it feel to be desired by every man and envied by every woman? Wonderful. This is the life Nora Sinclair has dreamed about, the life she's worked hard for, the life she will never give up. Meet Nora Sinclair.

When FBI agent John O'Hara first sees her, she seems perfect. She has the looks. The career. The clothes. The wit. The sophistication. The tantalizing sex appeal. The whole extraordinary package - and men fall in line to court her. She doesn't just attract men, she enthralls them. If you dare.

So why is the FBI so interested in Nora Sinclair? Mysterious things keep happening to people around her, especially the men. And there is something dangerous about Nora when Agent O'Hara looks closer - something that lures him at the same time that it fills him with fear. Is there something dark hidden among the unexplained gaps in her past? And as he spends more and more time getting to know her, is he pursuing justice? Or his own fatal obsession?

There are two storylines going on in this book. The storyline with Nora and then another case that O'Hara is working on at the same time. Although little time is spent on the other case, I still don't understand why Patterson felt he needed to add the storyline. I felt it confused the book and really didn't add anything. With that being said, I couldn't put this book down, it was good fluffy read.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

2007-11-15T19:22:00.000-05:00

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Finished November 13th, 2007

Rating: 9/10

Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge Book #4

From the Publisher

Propelled by the same superb instinct for storytelling that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once an incredible chronicle of thirty years of Afghan history and a deeply moving story of family, friendship, faith, and the salvation to be found in love.

Born a generation apart and with very different ideas about love and family, Mariam and Laila are two women brought jarringly together by war, by loss and by fate. As they endure the ever escalating dangers around them-in their home as well as in the streets of Kabul-they come to form a bond that makes them both sisters and mother-daughter to each other, and that will ultimately alter the course not just of their own lives but of the next generation. With heart-wrenching power and suspense, Hosseini shows how a woman's love for her family can move her to shocking and heroic acts of self-sacrifice, and that in the end it is love, or even the memory of love, that is often the key to survival.

So let me start off by saying that this was one of the best books I have read yet this year. Although it is an excellent book, it didn't quite touch me the same way The Kite Runner did. The writing is amazing, there was never a moment when I was bored or found my interest waning. I highly recommend this book to others.

Chosen Prey

2007-11-10T15:27:00.000-05:00

Chosen Prey by John Sandford

Finished November 7th, 2007

Rating: 7/10

2nds Challenge Book #1

The Barnes & Noble Review
Chosen Prey, the 12th entry in this remarkably consistent series, finds the hard-edged Minnesota homicide detective spearheading yet another convoluted investigation, this one aimed at bringing down a serial killer -- and sexual psychopath -- known as the Gravedigger.

As we learn at the very outset, the Gravedigger is James Quatar, an effete, deeply disturbed art historian with a penchant for blondes who remind him of his mother. Several of these iconic blondes have served as unwitting models for James's distinctive brand of pornographic, mix-and-match computer art. And several have simply disappeared from the face of the earth. As the novel opens, the body of Qatar's most recent victim surfaces in a park on the outskirts of Minneapolis. When the park turns out to be a mass graveyard containing eight more victims -- all blonde, all with an affinity for the visual arts -- a statewide manhunt ensues.

I choose to read a John Sandford book as part of the 2nds Challenge. I previously read The Devil's Code and liked it and thought this was a good opportunity to read one of the books from the Lucas Davenport's series. I was a bit confused with all of the different characters however this may have been because this is the 12th book in the series. I probably should have started with the first in the series.

Overall I enjoyed the book, I wasn't blown away but I enjoyed it enough to want to read more from the series.

October 2007 Reads

2007-11-04T09:25:00.000-05:00

October was a pretty slow month for me, I found it really hard to sit down and read. Hopefully November is a better month of reading for me.

53. Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson - Rating: 6
[Reading the Author Challenge]

54. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger - Rating: 7
[Decades Challenge]

55. B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton - Rating: 6
[Book Awards Challenge]

56. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert - Rating: 6
[Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge]

New Authors Read = 2
Male Authors = 2
Female Authors = 2

Eat Pray Love

2007-10-31T21:11:00.000-04:00

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Finished October 31st, 2007

Rating: 6/10

Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge Book #3

From Barnes & Noble
Oddly but aptly titled, Eat, Pray, Love is an experience to be savored: This spiritual memoir brims with humor, grace, and scorching honesty. After a messy divorce and other personal missteps, Elizabeth Gilbert confronts the "twin goons" of depression and loneliness by traveling to three countries that she intuited had something she was seeking. First, in Italy, she seeks to master the art of pleasure by indulging her senses. Then, in an Indian ashram, she learns the rigors and liberation of mind-exalting hours of meditation. Her final destination is Bali, where she achieves a precarious, yet precious equilibrium. Gilbert's original voice and unforced wit lend an unpretentious air to her expansive spiritual journey.

When I first started this book I thought I was really going to like it but then after about 50 pages it started to go downhill for me. I enjoyed reading about Liz's experiences in Italy and Indonesia however I found the India piece boring.

I watched the Oprah show when the author was on and I really liked hearing about Liz's experience firsthand. However, I found the book didn't strike the same chord with me as hearing the story firsthand from Liz.

B is for Burglar

2007-10-21T15:49:00.000-04:00

B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton

Finished October 20th, 2007

Rating: 6/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #4

From the Publisher
Elaine Boldt is missing, and her sister wants Kinsey Millhone to find her.
Seems like a routine job. Boldt was last seen lavishly draped in a $12,000 lynx coat heading for Boca Raton. She never got there. But someone else had, and was camping out illegally in Mrs. Boldt's abode. Now, things were beginning to seem a bit less routine - particularly when Kinsey is ordered to drop the investigation just as she discovers that days before Elaine Boldt "bolted", her next-door neighbor and bridge partner had been murdered. Unfortunately, the killer is still at large . . . and looking for Kinsey!

The last 60 pages redeemed this book for me as the beginning and middle part of the part was so slow. If it weren't for the last 60 pages I would have rated this book much lower than a 6 out of 10.

I would like to see some more development of the character Kinsey as I feel like I don't know her yet and this is the 2nd book in the series that I have read. I know there are many more books in the series so I am hoping the author does a better job in future books of providing greater insight to Kinsey and what makes her tick.

Decades Challenge Completed

2007-10-15T20:07:00.000-04:00

I have completed my 5th challenge. I am glad I signed up for this challenge as it motivated me to read classics however I think I have had enough of classics for a while.

I have signed up for another Challenge over at 3M's Blog. It is a Decades Challenge which runs from January 1st - December 31st, 2007 where you are to read as many books as you want in consecutive decades. I have decided to do 9 decades. The books I have chosen are:

The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls - 2000s [completed March 17th, 2007]
The Loop by Nicholas Evans - 1990s [completed March 27th, 2007]
Love in the Time of Chloera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - 1980s [completed April 14th, 2007]
The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton - 1970s [completed July 14th, 2007]
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - 1960s [completed May 26th, 2007]
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger - 1950s [completed October 12th, 2007]
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers - 1940s [completed August 22nd, 2007]
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck - 1930s [completed September 22nd, 2007]
A Passage to India by E.M. Forster - 1920s [completed June 17th, 2007]

The Catcher in the Rye

2007-10-14T18:32:00.000-04:00

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Finished October 12th, 2007

Rating: 7/10

Decades Challenge Book #9 (1950s)

From the Publisher
Since his debut in 1951 as The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield has been synonymous with "cynical adolescent." Holden narrates the story of a couple of days in his sixteen-year-old life, just after he''s been expelled from prep school, in a slang that sounds edgy even today and keeps this novel on banned book lists. It begins, "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you''ll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don''t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. In the first place, that stuff bores me, and in the second place, my parents would have about two hemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them." His constant wry observations about what he encounters, from teachers to phonies (the two of course are not mutually exclusive) capture the essence of the eternal teenage experience of alienation.

This was the first book I had read by Salinger and I really enjoyed his writing style. The book is character driven as opposed to plot driven. It was a pretty easy read and I enjoyed the Holden character but it ended too abruptly for my liking however I enjoyed it more than most classic books I have read.

2nds Challenge

2007-10-11T07:55:00.000-04:00

Sam's Letters to Jennifer

2007-10-08T08:22:00.000-04:00

Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson

Finished October 3rd, 2007

Rating: 6/10

Reading the Author Challenge Book #1

From the Publisher
Jennifer returns to the resort village where she grew up to help a beloved relative-and ends up experiencing not one but two of the most amazing love stories she''s ever known. The first is completely unexpected. In a series of letters that Jennifer finds, her relative reveals that she has concealed a huge secret for decades: Her great love is not the man she was married to for all those years. As Jennifer reads about this passionate partnership, she learns more about love's imperatives and secrets than she ever dreamed possible. And then comes the biggest surprise of all. At a time when she thought she could never love again, Jennifer lets her guard down for a moment-and is suddenly caught up in the greatest flight of exhilaration she's ever known. But, just as suddenly, she learns that this new love comes with an unbearable cost.Jennifer doesn't think she can survive the pain-but the letters she's been reading make her think that love may help her find a way.

This was a very quick read and was pretty enjoyable but I found the ending rushed. I thought I liked it more than a 6/10 however after finishing and thinking about the plot and storyline it wasn't really that good but only about average. I didn't enjoy it as much as a similar book by Patterson called Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas.

Book Reviews

2007-10-06T20:16:00.001-04:00

I hate to admit it but I am getting kind of tired of doing book reviews on my blog. I dread finishing a book because I know once I am done I have to do a review. So you may notice that future reviews are short and to the point until I am up to doing longer reviews.

September 2007 Reads

2007-10-04T19:07:00.000-04:00

47. The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory - Rating: 8
[Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge]

48. Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper - Rating: 7
[Non-Fiction Five Challenge]

49. Seizure by Robin Cook - Rating: 6
[Medical Mystery Madness Challenge ]

50. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood - Rating: 8
[Dystopian Challenge]

51. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck - Rating: 7
[Decades Challenge]

52. At Risk by Patricia Cornwell - Rating: 3
[Medical Mystery Madness Challenge ]

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

Medical Mystery Madness Challenge Completed

2007-10-03T18:48:00.000-04:00

My 4th challenge is done. I was disappointed with 3 of my 4 picks however I found a great new author that I wouldn't have found if I hadn't signed up for this challenge.

A Medical Mystery Madness Challenge is being hosted over at Caught Between Worlds and I have decided to join which makes this my 4th ongoing challenge.

WHAT: Pick anywhere from 2 or more medical mysteries/thrillers to read and discuss with fellow medical thriller fans.

WHEN: June 1st, 2007 to November 1st, 2007

I have decided to read 4 books for this challenge which are:

At Risk by Patricia Cornwell [completed September 26th, 2007]
Shock by Robin Cook [completed June 14th, 2007]
Seizure by Robin Cook [completed September 9th, 2007]
Harvest by Tess Gerritsen [completed June 21st, 2007]

At Risk

2007-09-30T18:41:00.000-04:00

At Risk by Patricia Cornwell

Finished September 26th, 2007

Rating: 3/10

Medical Mystery Madness Challenge Book #4

From the Publisher
A Massachusetts state investigator is called home from Knoxville, Tennessee, where he is completing a course at the National Forensic Academy. His boss, the district attorney, an attractive but hard-charging woman, is planning to run for governor, and as a showcase she's planning to use a new crime initiative called At Risk, its motto "Any crime, any time." In particular, she's been looking for a way to employ some cutting-edge DNA technology, and she thinks she's found it in a twenty-year-old murder - in Tennessee. If her office solves the case, they'll all end up looking pretty good, right?" Her investigator is not so sure - not sure about anything to do with this woman, really - but before he can open his mouth, a shocking piece of violence intervenes, an act that shakes up not only their lives but the lives of everyone around them as well. It is not a random event. Is it personal? Is it professional? Whatever it is, the implications are very, very bad indeed ... and they're about to get much worse.

What a disappointment this book was. The plot was non-existent and there was no character development which led me to not care for any of the characters. I read this for the Medical Mystery Challenge as I thought it was part of the Dr. Kay Scarpetta series but it wasn't. It technically wasn't a medical mystery however they did mention DNA a couple of times in the book so I am going to go ahead and count it towards the challenge. I would advise others to skip this one.

Dystopian Challenge Completed

2007-09-27T18:55:00.000-04:00

I have successfully completed my 3rd challenge. I really enjoyed this challenge as 4 out of the 5 books I read I rated with an 8 or higher.

I have signed up for my third challenge over at Lisa's blog at Books. Lists. Life called the Dystopian Challenge. The rules are as follows:

Pick any number of books you wish to read that fall into the Utopia/Dystopia genre.
They do not have to be books you've never read, but hopefully they aren't books you read last week.
Challenge opened March 31st and will last until November 6th.

Lisa provides a list of examples of books in her blog that would fall into each genre which makes it easy to pick books for the challenge. I am very excited about this challenge as I love this genre for movies but haven't really read this genre before.

The books I have chosen for this challenge are:

1984 by George Orwell [completed May 18th, 2007]
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley [completed August 26th, 2007]
The Giver by Lois Lowry [completed April 28th, 2007]
The Road by Cormac McCarthy [completed July 4th, 2007]
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood [completed September 17th, 2007]

Of Mice and Men

2007-09-23T09:35:00.000-04:00

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Finished September 22nd, 2007

Rating: 7/10

Decades Challenge Book #8 (1930s)
Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #3

From the Editors
When feeble-minded Lenny Small and his protector George Milton arrive to work on a ranch in the Salinas Valley of California, they dream of the day when they can own their own farm. But when Lenny accidentially kills the ranch owner's daughter-in-law, their lives are changed forever.

The writing flows easily in this well written book. It is a very short book and I didn't want it to end as I wanted to read more about the characters. East of Eden is still my favourite Steinbeck book but this is a close second.

Oryx and Crake

2007-09-19T18:12:00.000-04:00

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Finished September 17th, 2007

Rating: 8/10

Dystopian Challenge Book #5

I am ashamed to say I have never read any books by Margaret Atwood before and I am a Canadian. I have to say I really enjoyed her writing style and will definately be reading more from her.

It was difficult to summarize the book but I will try to touch on the main points.

The book is told by Jimmy (aka Snowman) as he unravels the story of how and why the world is as it is as he shifts between flashbacks from the past and the present. He describes his relationships with his two close friends Oryx and Crake. It isn't until the end of the book that the reader finds out what has happened to these two friends of Snowman as it is evident they are not around in the present time.

The only interaction Snowman has in the new world is with the Crakers, a genetically engineered species created by his friend Crake. The Crakers are very different from Snowman as they are programmed to: not be jealous, not have territorial tendencies which would lead to war, die at 30 years old, etc.

Atwood's description of the future is thought provoking and she manages to paint a realistic future in some aspects.

My only disappointment was the abrupt ending as the reader is left to envision the future for Snowman and the Crakers.

Seizure

2007-09-13T18:18:00.000-04:00

Seizure by Robin Cook

Finished September 9th, 2007

Rating: 6/10

Medical Mystery Madness Challenge Book #3

This book focuses on the story of two doctors who are attempting to legalize their medical technique which will help cure patients with incurable diseases by injecting them with stem cells. A US Senator opposes the bill however soon strikes a deal with the doctors. He is stricken with Parkinson;s and would like the doctors to test the treatment on him and in return and will support and try to pass legalizing their treatment.

I read the Robin Cook book Shock as one of my other choices for the Medical Mystery Madness Challenge and was very disappointed in the ending. I was pleasantly surprised when I got to find out what happened to the characters from the Wingate Clinic from the book Shock.

There was a little bit too much detail with respect to the medical techniques and my attention started to drift. All in all a better book than Shock but still not great.

Non-Fiction Five Challenge Finished

2007-09-09T18:44:00.000-04:00

I successfully completed the Non-Fiction Five challenge. It was an okay challenge for me as 3 out of my 5 reads were average or below average. I will have to do a better job of picking non-fiction books in the future.

UPDATE: I have decided to update one of my picks for this challenge and replace Dreams of my Father by Barack Obama to Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper based on the great review by Lesley in March 2007 at Lesley's Book Nook Blog.

I have decided to participate in Thoughts of Joy's Non-Fiction Five Challenge taking place from May 1st to September 30th, 2007. The Five Non-Fiction Books I have decided to read are:

1. Sidney Poitier - Measure of a Man [completed June 10th, 2007]

2. Jon Krakauer - Eiger Dreams [completed August 8th, 2007]

3. Mireille Guiliano - French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating For Pleasure [completed June 29th, 2007]

4. Sarah Ban Breathnach - Something More - Excavating Your Authentic Self [completed May 5th, 2007]

5. Anderson Cooper - Dispatches from the Edge [completed September 3rd, 2007]

I really enjoy reading memoirs however wanted to try to include other types of non-fiction books into the challenge and I think the above is a good mix.

Dispatches from the Edge

2007-09-06T20:01:00.000-04:00

Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper

Finished September 3rd, 2007

Rating: 7/10

Non-Fiction Five Challenge Book #5

This was a very quick and easy read. It isn't so much a biography of Cooper's life although he does touch on some major personal events that has shaped him such as the death of his father and brother. It is more about Cooper's experiences and insights with respect to major events that have shaped and touched the world such as Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, Hurriance Katrina and the South East Asian Tsunami.

All in all it was an enjoyable read.

Reading the Author Challenge

2007-09-03T10:01:00.000-04:00

The Reading the Author challenge is being hosted by Incurable Logophilia.

The premise of the challenge is read at least 3 books by one author from September 1st, 2007 until December 31st, 2007.

This challenge is a great excuse for me to get caught up on books by James Patterson. I have only read 1 book by him this year and have 10 to read to get caught up to his latest book.

My book choices for this challenge are:

Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson

Honeymoon by James Patterson

Lifeguard by James Patterson

Mary Mary by James Patterson

Beach Road by James Patterson

The Constant Princess

2007-09-02T15:55:00.000-04:00

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory

Finished September 2nd, 2007

Rating: 8/10

Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge Book #2

From the Publisher
Daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain, Katherine has been fated her whole life to marry Prince Arthur of England. When they meet and are married, the match becomes as passionate as it is politically expedient. The young lovers revel in each other's company and plan the England they will make together. But tragically, aged only fifteen, Arthur falls ill and extracts from his sixteen-year-old bride a deathbed promise to marry his brother, Henry; become Queen; and fulfill their dreams and her destiny.

I was expecting great things from this author as I have read numerous book reviews and all highly recommend her books. It started off a little slow but gradually picked up. I have no real insights to share about this book, just that it was a very enjoyable read.

August 2007 Reads

2007-09-01T13:06:00.000-04:00

42. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - Rating: 8
[Summer Mystery Reading Challenge]

43. Eiger Dreams by Jon Krakauer - Rating: 4
[Non-Fiction Five Challenge]

44. The Black Echo by Michael Connelly - Rating: 8
[Summer Mystery Reading Challenge]

45. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers - Rating: 3
[Decades Challenge]

46. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - Rating: 4
[Dystopian Challenge]

New Authors Read = 4
Male Authors = 3
Female Authors = 2

Brave New World

2007-08-27T19:54:00.000-04:00

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Finished August 26th, 2007

Rating: 4/10

Dystopian Challenge Book #4

I had high expectations for this book as I have really enjoyed all of the other books I have read for the Dystopian Challenge. I was disappointed as I felt that something was missing for me in this book.

The book takes place in the seventh century A.F. (after Ford) and depicts a futuristic society where humans are genetically designed in laboratories. They are conditioned to be in a specific social order by physical and mental conditioning. The society uses drugs to keep the masses happy and encourages sexual promiscuity as the thought is that a person belongs to everyone.

Many people find this book very thought-provoking however it really didn't provoke much thought in me as the other books I have read for the Dystopian Challenge.

I also read Brave New World Revisited which Huxley wrote about 25 years after he originally wrote Brave New World and found his thoughts and insights were more thought provoking than Brave New World. However my rating is based on Brave New World alone.

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

2007-08-23T20:09:00.000-04:00

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

Finished August 22nd, 2007

Rating: 3/10

Decades Challenge Book #7 (1940s)

Synopsis from Barnes & Noble
Published in 1940, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter is considered McCullers' finest work. The focus of the work is on John Singer, a deaf-mute in a Georgia mill town during the 1930s, and on his effect on the people who confide in him. When Singer's mute Greek companion of 10 years goes insane, Singer is left alone and isolated. He takes a room with the Kelly family, where he is visited by the town's misfits, who turn to him for understanding but have no knowledge of his inner life. The book's emphasis on individuals who are considered outcasts because of race, politics, disability, or sensibility placed it squarely within the Southern gothic tradition of American literature.

I started reading this book without knowing what is about. It wasn't until I got half way through the book that I started to understand the message the author was trying to convey. I got to the end of the book and simply just didn't like it very much.

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Finished

2007-08-18T16:36:00.000-04:00

I successfully completed my first reading challenge. It was a good challenge for me as most of my reads were very enjoyable and I was introduced to new authors that I plan to read more of.

I just couldn't resist signing up for this challenge as there is nothing better than reading a good mystery in the Summertime.

The challenge which is being hosted by Reviewed By Liz is to read six mysteries between June 1st and August 31st, 2007 by authors whose works you haven’t read before. Book choices are also allowed to overlap with other challenges.

There will be some prizes - a book drawing every week of the challenge for ALL participants, and a drawing for a $25.00 Amazon gift certificate at the end of the challenge for those who complete the challenge.

My proposed book list is as follows:

Harvest by Tess Gerritsen (overlaps with the Medical Mystery Madness Challenge) [completed June 21st, 2007]

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot [completed July 30th, 2007]

Whispers and Lies by Joy Fielding [completed July 8th, 2007]

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton [completed June 24th, 2007]

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield [completed August 5th, 2007]

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly [completed August 13th, 2007]

The Black Echo

2007-08-14T19:09:00.000-04:00

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

Finished August 13th, 2007

Rating: 8/10

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #6
Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #2

This was the first book I have read of Michael Connelly and I very much enjoyed it. The writing reminded me of David Baldacci who is one of my favourite suspense writers.

The story is about an LAPD detective (Harry Bosch) that finds one of his former Vietnam army colleagues dead. It appears to be a drug overdose however after further investigation Bosch believes otherwise. The story is fairly fast paced as it involves bank robberies, the FBI, Internal Affairs, etc.

I was a little disappointed with the Bosch character as he seeems to be the typical loner tortured detective. I hope his character develops over the next few books in the series.

Eiger Dreams

2007-08-09T18:10:00.000-04:00

Eiger Dreams by Jon Krakauer

Finished August 8th, 2007

Rating: 4/10

Non-Fiction Five Challenge Book #4

This is the third book I have read of Krakauer. I had previously read and really enjoyed Under the Banner of Heaven but disliked Into the Wild but decided to give this book a go anyways. I was not overly impressed.

The book is a bunch of short stories that Krakauer has written over the years for magazines about mountain climbing. Some of the stories are first hand experiences as Krakauer is an avid climber.

While some of the stories were interesting, more often I found myself a little bored reading this book. This could be due to the fact that I am not mountain climber and may not be able to appreciate the stories.

The Thirteenth Tale

2007-08-06T09:15:00.000-04:00

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Finished August 5th, 2007

Rating: 8/10

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #5

I wasn't sure what to expect when I choose this book for the Summer Mystery Reading Challenge and I ended up really enjoying this book. It tells the tale of a best-selling author (Vida Winter) who is reaching the end of her days. She is a mystery to the world and she now wants to tell her story and has reached out to Margaret Lea to be the biographer. And what an interesting story that Winter tells Margaret that I couldn't wait to find out what happened.

Setterfield writes a beautifully unique story. I am glad I choose this book for the challenge otherwise I probably would never have read this book on my own.

July 2007 Reads

2007-08-01T19:55:00.000-04:00

36. The Road by Cormac McCarthy - Rating: 9
[Dystopian Challenge] & [Book Awards Challenge]

37. Whispers and Lies by Joy Fielding - Rating: 7
[Summer Mystery Reading Challenge]

38. The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton - Rating: 4
[Decades Challenge]

39. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See - Rating: 9
[Armchair Traveler Challenge]

40. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling - Rating: 10

41. Size 12 is not Fat by Meg Cabot - Rating: 6
[Summer Mystery Reading Challenge]

New Authors Read = 4
Male Authors = 2
Female Authors = 4

Size 12 is Not Fat

2007-07-30T21:01:00.000-04:00

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

2007-07-28T09:52:00.000-04:00

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

2007-07-27T18:18:00.000-04:00

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

2007-07-24T19:47:00.000-04:00

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

2007-07-23T17:06:00.000-04:00

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

2007-07-08T18:10:00.000-04:00

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

2007-07-05T19:49:00.000-04:00

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

2007-07-01T10:17:00.000-04:00

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

French Women Don't Get Fat

2007-06-29T19:37:00.000-04:00

French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano

Finished June 29th, 2007

Rating: 8/10

Non-Fiction Five Challenge Book #3

This book is about learning to achieve a healthy weight through balancing food, exercise, sleep, etc. in life and was specifically written for women. It is a good mix between a memoir and self-help. The author tells about her experience gaining weight while living in the US as a 1 year student exchange and how she took off the weight upon her return to France. She also provides stories of how she has helped friends lose weight.

She provides simple suggestions that are commen sense that one can easily adapt to and also provides some of her favourite recipes.

I will take the following lessons from this book:

Manage my portions;
Do not eat while doing other things;
Go for quality ingredients;
Eat food when it is in season;
Drink more water.

The focus of the book is on eating habits although she does touch on the benefits of exercise. I would recommend this book for all women who want to lose a few pounds and start living a balanced lifestyle.

The Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge

2007-06-28T17:48:00.000-04:00

Lesley located at A Life in Books is holding The Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge.

The challenge runs from July 1 through December 31, 2007 during which time you must read six books that fall under the ‘armchair traveling’ theme.

Fiction or non-fiction works are fine, and do not need to be specifically travel related, as long as the location is integral to the book - I’ll leave that to your discretion. Locations must be actual places that you could visit, so no Middle Earths or galaxies far, far away.

Books may be cross-posted to other challenges, but you cannot count any books read prior to July 1st.

To join, make a post outlining your six choices and link to that post below. Because I like to have a little wiggle room, you can opt to switch out books throughout the challenge.

And yes, there will be prizes!

I think this is the last challenge that I will join for a while until I complete some of my other challenges. My books for this challenge are:

Brick Lane by Monica Ali
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith

A is for Alibi

2007-06-25T19:33:00.000-04:00

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

Finished June 24th, 2007

Rating: 6/10

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #2

This was another new author to me that I read for the 2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge. This was the first book in a series of books about a private dectective named Kinsey Millhone.

This particular book was about a murder that took place 8 years ago. The suspect that went away for the murder of her husband is out on parole and hires Kinsey to find out who really killed her husband.

I prefer my mystery novels to be a little more fast paced as I didn't find this book to be as fast paced as I normally like. I also found that Graften when into too much description in the book when I didn't think it was really necessary as it didn't really add anything to the book. This book was written in 1982 however it is interesting that the only item I read about that really dated the book was reference to a typewriter.

The writing style reminded me of Janet Evanovich so if you like her books you may enjoy Sue Grafton books as well. I found the ending a little bit predictable but I am interested to read more from the author and see how the character of Kinsey develops over time.

Harvest

2007-06-22T16:19:00.000-04:00

Harvest by Tess Gerritsen

Finished June 21st, 2007

Rating: 9/10

Medical Mystery Madness Challenge Book #2

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #1

I killed two birds with one stone with this book as it overlapped between two challenges. This was a new author to me that I found by signing up for the Medical Mystery Madness Challenge and I have to say I really enjoyed this book and will be reading more from this author. The author kept my interest with the twist and turns without going over the top.

From the Publisher

Medical resident Dr. Abby Matteo is elated when the elite cardiac transplant team at Boston''s Bayside Hospital taps her as a potential recruit. But faced with a tormenting life-and-death decision, Abby helps direct a crash victim''s harvested heart to a dying teenager -- instead of the wealthy older woman who was supposed to receive it. The repercussions leave Abby shaken and plagued with self-doubt.

Suddenly, a new heart appears, and the woman''s transplant is completed. Then Abby makes a terrible discovery. The donor records have been falsified -- the new heart has not come through the proper channels. Defying the hospital''s demands for silence, she begins her own investigation that reveals a murderous, unthinkable conspiracy. Every move Abby makes spawns a vicious backlash...and on a ship anchored in the waters of Boston harbor, the grisly truth lies waiting.

2nds Challenge

2007-06-21T19:51:00.000-04:00

Joy at Thoughts of Joy is holding another challenge to take place after the Non-Fiction Five Challenge called the 2nds Challenge.

WHAT: Read 3 books by authors that you have only read one other

WHERE: Mister Linky will keep track of monthly books read on Joy's blog

WHEN: October, November and December, 2007

Before I decide on my books for this challenge I have decided to make a list of those authors who I have only read 1 book by to help me finalize my list for the challenge.

Margaret Atwood (haven't read any books by this author yet but will likely read one before this challenge begins)
Elizabeth Berg
Ann Brashares
Pearl S. Buck
Meg Cabot (haven't read any books by this author yet but will likely read one before this challenge begins)
Michael Connelly (haven't read any books by this author yet but will likely read one before this challenge begins)
Janet Evanovich
Tess Gerritsen (haven't read any books by this author yet but will likely read one before this challenge begins)
Jane Hamilton
Khaled Hosseini
Robert Ludlum
Cormac McCarthy (haven't read any books by this author yet but will likely read one before this challenge begins)
Ian McEwan
Rohinton Mistry
George Orwell
John Sandford
Dani Shapiro

I will post my choices closer to the challenge date.

A Passage to India

2007-06-17T21:02:00.000-04:00

A Passage to India by E.M. Forster

Finished June 17th, 2007

Rating: 6/10

Decades Challenge Book #5 (1920s)

I read the first 25 pages and said to myself uh-oh I don't think I am going to like this book so when I picked it up again to continue reading I decided to jot down all the characters and their relationships to each other as I was getting confused and that seemed to help.

The theme of the book is the relationship between the English and the Indians in the 1920s which is when the book was written and how each regards the behaviour of the other. There was a party being hosted by an English couple at the beginning of the book where the Indians are on one side of the lawn and the English on the other side which I couldn't help but compare to school dances where boys are on one side and girls on the other.

The book was not plot-driven but rather focused on utilizing the events that happened to emphasize the relationships between the English and the Indians.

After reading this book, I realize that I am more of a plot-driven reader however am starting to learn to appreciate character-driven books.

Shock

2007-06-15T21:31:00.000-04:00

Shock by Robin Cook

Finished June 14th, 2007

Rating: 4/10

Medical Mystery Madness Challenge Book#1

From the Editors

Hoping to help infertile couples and looking for hard cash, two graduate school friends decide to become egg donors. But science students Debbie Cochrane and Joanna Meissner discover that somewhere behind the high walls of the North Shore fertility clinic, their little good deed is being transformed into a ghastly great crime.

So I thought this book had some potential but then it abruptly ended in such a way that the reader wonders whether there is a sequel to the book. There were many times when the book proved to be unrealistic based on some of the decisions made by the girls and many other unrealistic details such as no work reference checks at the Infertility Clinic where the girls are hired when the clinic is so concerned with keeping everything a secret, doesn't seem very realistic to me.

I did find the book entertaining although I often had to roll my eyes at all the unrealistic parts however the ending just killed the book for me so all in all I would not recommend this book to others.

Have You Read Any of these Books?

2007-06-12T19:48:00.000-04:00

I have seen the following book list on almost everyone's blog but haven't participated in this exercise yet so I finally decided to participate since after reading Crazy Cozy Murders blog I was tagged.

Look at the list of books below:
* Bold the ones you’ve read (I didn't bold those books that I have read prior to 2002 when I starting keeping a record)
* Italicize the ones you want to read
* Leave blank the ones that you aren’t interested in.

I have also followed Crazy Cozy Murder's example and highlighted in red the books I have never heard of.

1. The DaVinci Code (Dan Brown)
2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
33. Atlas Shrugges (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much Is True (Wally Lamb)
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. The Bible
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She's Come Undone (Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolstoy)
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According to Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte's Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down(Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100. Ulysses (James Joyce)

Non-Fiction Five Challenge Update

2007-06-11T07:17:00.000-04:00

UPDATE: I have decided to update one of my picks for this challenge and replace Dreams of my Father by Barack Obama to Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper based on the great review by Lesley in March 2007 at Lesley's Book Nook Blog.

I have decided to participate in Thoughts of Joy's Non-Fiction Five Challenge taking place from May 1st to September 30th, 2007. The Five Non-Fiction Books I have decided to read are:

1. Sidney Poitier - Measure of a Man [completed June 10th, 2007]

2. Jon Krakauer - Eiger Dreams

3. Mireille Guiliano - French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating For Pleasure

4. Sarah Ban Breathnach - Something More - Excavating Your Authentic Self [completed May 5th, 2007]

5. Anderson Cooper - Dispatches from the Edge

I really enjoy reading memoirs however wanted to try to include other types of non-fiction books into the challenge and I think the above is a good mix.

Measure of a Man

2007-06-10T17:09:00.000-04:00

Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier

Finished June 10th, 2007

Rating: 5/10

Non-Fiction Five Challenge Book #2

I was expecting this book to be different then what it was. I guess I should have had a clue based on the subtitle "a spiritual autobiography" that it wasn't going to be a true memoir. The book started out very good as Poitier discusses his childhood in the Bahamas however the book lost me in the middle and end as Poitier talks about a variety of topics and his philosophy on those topics such as religion, racisim and mostly about the art of acting (which didn't really interest me). The book jumps from topic to topic as it is not in chronological order as a typical autobiography.

There were some really interesting stories mentioned however he chose to not go into much detail which was disappointing as I would really have liked to read more of those stories.

I finished the book with a better understanding of his views on various topics however I still feel like I never got to know him by reading this book which was my intent in choosing it.

Although I gave the book a rating of 5/10 as it was average to me, I would recommend it to others who are already familiar with Poitier and are interested in reading more about Poitier's views rather than a biography about his life.

I have never actually seen any movies that Sidney Poitier has starred in so I will have to make a point to rent some of his movies.

Book Awards Reading Challenge

2007-06-10T14:03:00.000-04:00

Well I held off for as long as I could in signing up for the Book Awards Reading Challenge however finally cracked yesterday and decided to join after taking a look at different book award lists and realizing that I owned many books that have won awards but hadn't gotten around to reading yet.

The rules are to read any 12 award-winning books from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Examples of book awards are the Pulitzer Prize, Orange Prize, Booker Prize, Newbery Award, etc. The challenge also allows the participants to read any book from an author who has won the Nobel Prize for Literature. However, at least SIX of the twelve books must be actual book prize winners. Books may also be cross-posted with other challenges.

There is a blog set up for this challenge at Book Awards Challenge that allows participants to post to or participants can choose instead to post on their own blog.

My tenative list for the challenge is:

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt - 1997 Pulitzer (Biography/Autobiography)

B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton - 1986 Anthony

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly - 1992 Edgar Award (First Novel)

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak - 2007 Book Sense (Children's Lit)

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen - 2001 National Book Award

Eldest by Christopher Paolini - 2006 Quill Awards (Young Adult/Teen)

Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald - 1997 Commonwealth Writers (First Book)

The Road by Cormac McCarthy - 2007 Pulitzer (Fiction)

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry - 1990 Newbery Award

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck - 1962 Nobel Prize

Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky - 2004 Prix Renaudot

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - 2007 Alex Award

The Pact

2007-06-09T12:49:00.000-04:00

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

Finished June 6th, 2007

Rating: 8/10

From the Publisher
Until the phone calls came at three o''clock on a November morning, the Golds and their neighbors, the Hartes, had been inseparable. It was no surprise to anyone when their teenage children, Chris and Emily, began showing signs that their relationship was moving beyond that of lifelong friends. But now seventeen-year-old Emily is dead—shot with a gun her beloved and devoted Chris pilfered from his father''s cabinet as part of an apparent suicide pact—leaving two devastated families stranded in the dark and dense predawn, desperate for answers about an unthinkable act and the children they never really knew.

Like all Jodi Picoult reads this one too sucked me in and was hard to put down. The effect of suicide on the parents of Emily and Chris was the central theme in the book as each parent handled and reacted to the devastation differently.

Picoult had me guessing until the end as to how Emily died as I was unable to predict the ending. Even though I typically prefer to have some closure at the end of the books and most of my questions answered after finishing a book I ended up with a lot of questions at the end of The Pact and that was okay with me. I still wonder why Emily had this need to commit suicide as it was touched upon but never spelled out for the reader. I wonder why Emily put Chris in such a difficult position if she loved him so much.

SPOILER ALERT
I found myself very angry at Emily for putting Chris in an awful position of asking for help with her suicide and am also frustrated at Chris for not telling anyone about Emily's preoccupation with suicide to try to get her some professional help.

Summer Sisters

2007-06-08T17:01:00.000-04:00

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

Finished June 2nd, 2007

Rating: 8/10

It has been about 20 years since I last read a Judy Blume novel but do remember that I enjoyed her books when I was younger and I ended up really enjoying this book.

I read this book on my vacation in Hawaii and I have to say that it is a perfect book for a beach read. It is a story that spans over 20 years about 2 girls named Victoria and Caitlin that form a lifelong friendship while spending their summers together at Martha's Vineyard. The book is mostly narrated by Victoria however it also provides short narration from the other characters which I liked as it provided some insight as to how the other characters were feeling although it never did provide a narration by Caitlin which I find interesting since she was the most mysterious character.

I enjoyed this light read and would recommend it to others wanting an easy read about coming of age, friendship and love.

The Nanny Diaries

2007-06-08T15:46:00.000-04:00

The Nanny Diaries
by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus

Finished May 31st, 2007

Rating: 7/10

I had previously read Citizen Girl by these authors and hated it but thought I would give them another try with this book as I know a movie is coming out this summer based on the book which doesn't look half bad.

This book was written by two former nannies about you guessed it being a nanny to a particular upper class family in New York. The nanny in the novel is named Nan and she is a nanny to a four year old boy named Grayer, who she has nicknamed Grover. I loved the character of Grayer, what a wonderfully funny little boy as the parts that he was in the book would make me just smile.

I found the storyline to be very similar to The Devil Wears Prada although it was not as funny. It was actually quite sad at times as the father is a workaholic and is having an affair and the mother simply ignores Grayer and is so busy trying to get the father to pay attention to her.

I wish there was more of a confrontation at the end of the book rather than the abrupt ending as I felt like I needed more closure than I received.

It will be interesting to watch the movie to see if they try to spin this as more of a comedy as I really found that the book was more sad than funny.

To Kill a Mockingbird

2007-06-07T22:36:00.000-04:00

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Finished May 26th, 2007

Rating: 7/10

Decades Challenge Book #4 (1960s)

I had great expectations for this book since it won a Pulitzer and so many people name this book as one of their all-time favourite books, however the book did not live up to my expectations.

SPOILER ALERT

The story as told by a young white girl named Scout tells the tales of growing up in Alabama in the 1930s while surrounded by discrimination. In the book Scout's father Atticus is the defense lawyer for a black man accused of raping a white woman in a time and place when a white woman's word means much more than any evidence to the contrary. The most poignant line from the book for me was: "Atticus Finch won't win, he can't win, but he's the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that. And I though to myself well, we're making a step --it's just a baby-step, but it's a step."

I think the reason for my disappointment could be that sometimes when you expect so much from a book you can't help but be disappointed. Unfortunately the book just did not touch a chord with me as it has with other people so I am thinking that I will have to read reviews on other people's blogs to try to understand why people love this book so much and maybe give it another read in the future and hopefully I will get more out of it the second time around.

Vacation

2007-06-06T22:27:00.000-04:00

I have been a bit of a slacker posting on my blog as I have been on vacation for the last two weeks but the good news is that while on vacation I finished 4 books. I see that there have been a couple of new challenges posted and I will have to spend some time tomorrow perusing these challenges in order to see if they are something I am interested in joining although I am not sure if I will have the time right now with some of the other challenges I have going on but we will see.

Decades Challenge

2007-06-02T16:08:00.000-04:00

I have signed up for another Challenge over at 3M's Blog. It is a Decades Challenge which runs from January 1st - December 31st, 2007 where you are to read as many books as you want in consecutive decades. I have decided to do 9 decades. The books I have chosen are:

The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls - 2000s [completed March 17th, 2007]
The Loop by Nicholas Evans - 1990s [completed March 27th, 2007]
Love in the Time of Chloera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - 1980s [completed April 14th, 2007]
The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton - 1970s
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - 1960s [completed May 26th, 2007]
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger - 1950s
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers - 1940s
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck - 1930s
A Passage to India by E.M. Forster - 1920s [completed June 17th, 2007]

May 2007 Reads

2007-06-01T14:41:00.000-04:00

23. Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self by Sarah Ban Breathnach - Rating: 2 [Non-Fiction Five Challenge]

24. Rage by Jonathan Kellerman - Rating: 5

25. 1984 by George Orwell - Rating: 8 [Dystopian Challenge]

26. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Rating: 7 [Decades Challenge]

27. The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - Rating: 7

New Authors Read = 2
Male Authors = 2
Female Authors = 3

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge

2007-05-21T20:42:00.000-04:00

I just couldn't resist signing up for this challenge as there is nothing better than reading a good mystery in the Summertime.

The challenge which is being hosted by Reviewed By Liz is to read six mysteries between June 1st and August 31st, 2007 by authors whose works you haven’t read before. Book choices are also allowed to overlap with other challenges.

There will be some prizes - a book drawing every week of the challenge for ALL participants, and a drawing for a $25.00 Amazon gift certificate at the end of the challenge for those who complete the challenge.

My proposed book list is as follows:

Harvest by Tess Gerritsen (overlaps with the Medical Mystery Madness Challenge)

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

Whispers and Lies by Joy Fielding

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

1984

2007-05-18T19:13:00.000-04:00

1984 by George Orwell

Finished May 18th, 2007

Rating: 8/10

Dystopian Challenge Book #2

I know a lot of people were required to read this book in school but this was not required reading at my school so this was the first time I had read this book. This book had less dialogue than I typically like but despite the little dialogue I still really enjoyed this book.

What a very sad and hopeless place Oceania is which is where the book takes place. How sad is it that books/magazines/newspapers are updated and changed and therefore the only thing that you can trust about the past is your memory and in the end even that could be taken away.

I was a bit confused about the fact that some citizens called proles did not have the same rules applied to them as "the Party Members" and found myself wondering how is it decided whether you are a Party Member or a prole, I never did figure it out.

I found this to be a very good book but was a little disappointed that there wasn't a happier ending, I guess I am just a sucker for happy endings.