My Sister's Keeper

by Jodi Picoult


I have start out by venting a wee bit… I was unaware of how this book ended until I had just a few more chapters left. I started reading reviews from Goodreads... never again! I read a review that TOTALLY gave it away. Aahhh! A bit of advice when it contains a spoiler, say so! Especially right at the beginning of your review! I couldn’t miss it!!! Buggy, buggy Amy...

This said, the review below contains NO spoilers!!

I absolutely loved and hated this book at the same time! I got so wrapped up in the story that I HAD to keep reading just so I would have some resolution. Even though I knew the idea of the book before I read it, I wasn't prepared for what an emotional and intellectual battle it would be. At one point I was sitting on the couch holding my 2 year old (who was trying to watch cartoons) and sobbing... what would I do in the same position?? Jodi Picoult took such a controversial issue and wrote in a way that I had to think about it. The conflict alone is what makes this book fascinating.

I also liked how the story was told from the characters' points of view. Knowing what everyone was thinking and where they were coming from added even more drama and definitely pulled at the heartstrings.

I really liked Sara’s thoughts when she said; “I realize then that we never have children, we receive them. And sometimes it’s not quite as long as we would have expected or hoped. But it is still far better than never having had those children at all.” I took many lessons from this book; NEVER JUDGE! Who knows what I would do in the same situation. Cherish each and every day. I am so grateful for the health of my family. Most importantly, it brought a greater awareness of the blessing that come from my faith. I can’t imagine going through a trail such as this, not knowing there was a greater purpose, a plan and a loving Father in Heaven to turn to. This book gave me another reminder that I am truly blessed.

A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens


The time is at hand to admit… I had never read this book until now. This was my first! I have seen many cartoons, movies and plays retelling this classic story, and though it was hard to read without picturing Scrooge McDuck, Jimmy Cricket and all the rest of the Disney gang (Truth be told, the characters did fit! How scary is that!!), the book is always better.

Once I put the cartoon aside I loved reading Dickens’s words. His descriptions are vivid and fun and there is really nothing like the way he can tell a story. All through out my reading I kept thinking of the Christmas song: "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." One specific line…

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories
of Christmases long, long ago

Is this linked to Dickens? Who really tells ghost stories if not. Regardless, I liked the connection. “A Christmas Carol” is a classic and a tradition for a reason.

The Other Boleyn Girl

by Philippa Gregory


I enjoy historical fiction. I like fact mixed in with story. In this case there was a lot of story. I realized I didn’t know much about this period in history, so it encouraged me to do my research. That is always a good thing.

I do have mixed emotions about this book. I felt dirty reading it. It was a lot of “soap opera” that was a bit overwhelming at times. It does contain sexual content, which shouldn’t have, but did throw me off.

I felt like the author did a good job building anticipation, but once we came to the “big finale” it just ended… without much emotion or fanfare.

Overall, I thought it was well written and well researched, I just can’t promise I will read the next book in this series any time soon.

The Thirteenth Tale

by Diane Setterfield


This novel was a wonderful and unexpected surprise. Secrets, ghosts, and lies! I read this book in a week and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am surprised this is a first novel for Diane Setterfield. The writing was perfect. I loved her style. The story was intriguing and kept me guessing till the every end. I thought I had it figured out several times, but I was wrong! I LOVE THAT!

I won’t give out any other details, it is too much fun to discover it yourself. I do suggest you read it!

The Secret Life of Bees

by Sue Monk Kidd


I really enjoyed this book

My sister-in-law has been telling me to read it for a while, but bees mixed with civil rights didn't tempt me. For some reason I saw it and bought it anyway. Once I saw that the movie was coming out, I had to read it first. I hate when I read a book with the character/actors already in my head, but this time wasn't awful.

I did have to look past the worship of a statue/honey combination. My attention was held the entire book, I thought about advice that had been given through out my day. I liked the characters and the relationships they developed. I thought it was well written. Towards the end it became quite suspenseful but then it was over. I didn't like how it ended. I wasn't ready for it to be done. I still have unanswered questions or maybe just interest in what happens next.

My favorite quote to sum it up would have to be from Lily. "Nobody is perfect. You just have to close your eyes and breathe out and let the puzzle of the human heart be what it is."

Twilight Series

By Stephenie Meyer
Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn

So here it is, my first official book review!

I am not a sci-fi, fantasy lover. I had no desire to read any of the books in the Twilight series. A co-worker of AT’s decided I was missing out and sent the first book home with him. I have to admit, I didn’t hate this series but I didn’t love it either. I would NOT recommend this book to teenagers, but for adults looking for an easy distraction, give it a go.

SPOILER ALERT!! IF YOU WANT TO READ THESE BOOKS, YOU MAY NOT WANT TO READ BELOW!!!

Here is what I didn’t like:

1) Edward and Bella’s relationship seems pretty superficial. They are completely obsessed with one another and yet Bella never felt secure in the relationship. Since this was geared toward teens, it made me cringe. I didn’t like how needy Bella was to everyone around her.

2) I got SO tired of hearing how beautiful the “perfect marble like” vampires were. They are amazing! We got it!

3) Over and over we read about all of the sacrifices Bella would have to make to enter the immortal world. I assumed these would be the focus in the 4th book, but no. She ended up getting all she ever wanted, plus some.

4) I realize this was a fictional book, but I also thought it would end a bit more realistic. Through out book 1-3 Stephanie tried to make it seem almost possible to live in a make believe world. That all ended in book 4. (A baby. Seriously?)

Stephenie has a great writing style, although some things you could see coming (werewolves, imprinting, beauty etc). I read all 4 books in a month and a half, very curious to see where she would take it next. Reading this book was a bit like watching cartoons for me, something to do, I didn’t have to think and for the most part it was intriguing. I have had extra down time due to some health issues, so I was grateful to have the distraction.

In the end, I felt like the moral was to be needy and obsessed and give up your entire life for someone you fall in love with at 18, it doesn’t matter how crushed your family might be. Just be as selfish as possible and hurt everyone around you. It will all work out fine and you will become beautiful, rich and have blissful sex all night long. You’ll even get a perfect child who behaves like an angel. Everyone lives happily ever after. Talk about a fantasy!


Flickr Thanks - Twilight Lover