I love reading! I mean, REALLY, REALLY love it! I HAVE to have a book to read or I feel a little lost. Back last year, I was doing some data entry on the computer four nights a week for a guy I knew from my Howard Books days and I didn't have the time to read. I tried listening to an audio book at one point, but it just wasn't the same. Needless to say, I sorely missed reading during that time, and I immediately hightailed it to the library as soon as I quit that little night gig. I used to be the type that didn't really think twice about buying books. If I wanted to read it, I bought it. Since we've moved to Lafayette, though, and have to be more frugal, I've wised up about the incredible free resource that is at my disposal--the public library. (Not that I wasn't aware of it before, I just never utilized it like I do now.) And, because I can log-in, search their catalog, and request books online, it just makes it so convenient--especially if my hubby goes and picks them up for me! :)
What has been incredibly tempting (and a tad addicting), though, is Matt's e-reader that he bought with his Christmas money--a Nook Color. You can search for titles and download free samples, however, it's usually around ten bucks to buy the book on there. I have only bought one since he got it and have mostly been using it to download the free samples and make my "library list." However, the last time we went to the library, we discovered that you can "check out" (download) free e-books that you only get to keep for 2 weeks, so I got really excited about that. But, not every book I want to read is available as an e-book from the library, and let's face it, although an e-reader is super convenient, sometimes I just want the real book in my hand. (And, I just have to say, that whoever is the chick-lit buyer for Target, does a great job. If I'm out of books to read, I always go browse that section and then jot down titles so I can check them out at the library. Sometimes I buy one, you know, to support that section since it's a great resource to me--and because I feel guilty for the one-sided relationship I seem to have with it...always getting, never giving!)
Sometimes, though, I fall in a rut and have a hard time finding good books, so I thought I'd share some recent good reads I've come across as well as some of my favorites (those books that just stuck with me) in case you are on the search for a new read.
The Harry Potter series
Seriously, why did no one tell me how good these were? Matt, on a whim, bought the first two books for a dollar each at the library (they have a section where they sell used books). I scoffed at them (and him) and basically called them childish. Then, I ran out of books to read, picked the first one up, "just to see how lame it was" and got sucked in...movies and all. January 2011 will now be known as the month that I read and watched every Harry Potter book and movie, and then felt so sad when it was all over. So, I realize I was probably the only person left on Earth (besides Matt) who hadn't read this series, but in case you haven't, carve out a month and check them out from the library. And, you might want to clear your social calendar for that month as well, because you'll want to spend any free moment you have with Harry Potter.
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Most of Kristin Hannah's books are good, but this one is probably the best because it was based on real events involving war in Russia. Here's a review from Amazon. You might not be interested in something involving history (and I typically shy away from those books as well), but I promise you, it's a great book: The Whitson family is rocked by the sudden death of patriarch Evan, a warm, loving man who doted on his two adult daughters, Meredith and Nina, and his reserved Russian wife, Anya. Meredith, who runs the family business, and Nina, a photojournalist whose job takes her to war zones around the world, have never been able to connect with their cold, forbidding mother. When Anya begins to act strangely, Meredith thinks she belongs in a nursing home, but Nina decides to try to fulfill her father’s dying wish and get her mother to tell her and Meredith the elaborate fairy tales she used to share with them. Anya is initially reluctant, but once she begins, Nina realizes these tales are actually the story of Anya’s life in Stalinist Leningrad. Meredith and Nina decide to attempt to uncover the truth about their mother’s tragic past in the hope of understanding her, and themselves. Though the novel starts off fairly maudlin, it evolves into a gripping read, although it’s a tearjerker.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
This book made me mad...mad at the parents. And rightfully mad, because it is Jeannette's memoir of her childhood growing up with an alcoholic father and a hippy mother who never held jobs for very long. The Glass Castle tells her story of growing up practically homeless and often starving with her three other siblings and how they all were able to escape a life of poverty. I read this a few weeks ago and as a parent, it just infuriates me that they were raised this way in the 1970s and 80s. And, although it angered me, I still recommend reading it for the incredible view Jeannette gives into the lives of children living in poverty. You will feel heartbreak for the children and anger at the parents and you will be thrilled to see Jeannette and her siblings rise above it all. (If you do read it, or have already read it, leave a comment on this post telling me what you thought about it. I'd love to discuss!)
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
A lot of Jodi Picoult's books deal with big issues or hard topics, which often lead to them being good books, but I've yet to find one of her books that I liked as well as this one. You may have seen the movie (that had a different ending from the book--shame on Hollywood!), but I still encourage you to read the book. Books are almost always better than their movies, and this one you need to read to see the true ending.
Any book by Nicholas Sparks
I pretty much like them all! Even if you've seen some of the movies, still read the books. The biggest tearjerker of them all: The Last Song. Banish Miley Cyrus and her poor acting (if you've seen the movie) from your head and read it. They didn't include a lot of the scenes from the book and no movie can really convey the internal thoughts and emotions as well as the book can.
James Patterson's chick-lit books
I like his murder mystery books just as well, but I really like it when he writes the girly ones. I'll forever remember the details of Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas (it's an oldie, but a goodie) and I recently read Sundays at Tiffany's and loved it as well. Hint: It's about a girl and her imaginary friend!
Proof by Bill Bright
This book was one of the first fiction books that I worked on at Howard Books. I'm not crazy about Christian fiction. I know that seems odd for me to say that, considering I worked in the industry for six years, but I don't like the fact that so many Christian fiction books seem to beat the Bible on your head. I especially dislike the ones that center around women who seem to be Stepford Wife models of Christianity--you know the kind...every paragraph involves them praying, every thought that runs through their internal dialogue is nice and kind, every word they say to anyone is super sweet and loving. No one--even Christians--are like that 24/7. I'm sure there are plenty Christian fiction books out there that "keep it real," though, so feel free to leave some suggestions in the comments if you have any that might fit my criteria...otherwise, I shy away from them. So, anyway, about this book. I'm not recommending it because of my involvement with it. I'm recommending it because it's really, really good. Here's the Amazon description (that I may or may not have helped write...I can't remember): When his daughter experiences a life-changing conversion to Christianity, a celebrated New York attorney takes the Holy Spirit to court in an attempt to win her back. With a hand-picked jury and a sympathetic judge, the atheistic attorney sues the church in which his daughter was saved, accusing them of teaching fictional religious concepts that will undermine America. In a dramatic courtroom thriller, a young defense attorney -- boyfriend to the daughter and former intern to the celebrated lawyer -- defends the church by attempting to prove the Holy Spirit exists, only to discover that the Holy Spirit is fully capable of proving himself.
Sophie Kinsella non-Shopaholic books
I tried to get into the Shopaholic books, but I just couldn't. However, I love Sophie Kinsella's other titles and I love that they are more light-hearted with some quirky subject matters, such as Remember Me? (amnesia), Can You Keep a Secret? (keeping secrets--kinda obvious, huh?), The Undomestic Goddess (pretending to be someone else) and Twenties Girl (having a ghost that just won't go away).
Life As I Know It by Melanie Rose
Another quirky subject matter about a girl who is struck by lightning, but it ends deeper than you expect. Here's an Amazon review: In Brit Rose's pleasant debut, single career girl Jessica Taylor experiences love at first sight shortly before being struck by lightning. She awakens in the hospital in the body of Lauren Richardson, an unhappily married, materialistic mother of four who was also hit by lightning. While in Lauren's body, Jessica bonds with Lauren's neglected children and with Lauren's down-to-earth sister, Karen, who has sensed the change in her sister from the very start. After Jessica confides in Karen, the two attempt to make sense of why the switch happened. Rose's narrative initially uses all the old chestnuts of chick lit, pitting the life of a career girl against married motherhood; finding the perfect guy at the wrong time; the dubious current love interest (in this case, Lauren's questionable husband). As the story progresses, Rose's novel evolves into a statement about the pitfalls women encounter and the deals they make with themselves in order to make life livable. Rose's light tone packs a punch as the decidedly somber ending looms, taking the story to a foreseeable but still bittersweet conclusion.
I could go on and on, but I think that is plenty to share with you today. I may do this again another time, as I've just put about 4 books on hold at the library!! Feel free to share your favorites in the comments.
Happy Reading!
