Head Hunters [Book #8]

This book was painful to plough through. A story about a sociopathic head hunter for a company in Iceland and his difficulties as an art thief. Perhaps things were lost in translation but it was a truly terrible book with unlikeable characters and an awful ending. Period.

Love InshAllah [Book #7]

So I can't talk too much about this because, well, I'm in it! But, I did enjoy it and I liked it, and I hope you will support it and like it too!

American Dervish- Akhtar [Book #6]

I wanted to like this book. I paid full price for this hard-cover. I regret it very much. This book is an awful representation of what it is to be an American Muslim and the fact that its getting so much praise for showing what it is to be just this disturbs me more than I can properly articulate. Outside of this, the characters are one dimensional and flimsy. The main character is unlikeable and nothing much happens to him as much as happens around him. Most of this book was simply a soap box for the author to let out what seems like years of angst. Absolutely awful.

Talk Talk- Boyle [Book #5]

Wow. Just. Wow. TC Boyle is easily one of my favorite writers and this book certainly sealed the deal for me personally. This is a jarring novel about identity theft and just how badly it can affect someone's life. The story follows a thirtysomething woman who is deaf and is arrested for crimes committed under her name. She and her boyfriend are determined to find out the man who did this and make him pay. The story is told from the perspectives of herself, her boyfriend, and the criminal in question. I found it very difficult to put this book down and was overall quite satisfied with the ending.

Kindred- Butler [Book #4]

This is a science fiction book about slavery and time-travel. Yes, really. Dana travels back and forth through time when summoned by her great-grandfather Rufus, a white slaveowner's son to save his life. Each time he is near peril she is swept back into the era of slavery and each time she falls into peril there she is swept back to her life in the current contemporary world she lives in with her white husband. I found this to be a very jarring novel detailing what happened in the time of slavery, a topic I haven't really thought about since high school and for that I very much appreciated it. There were definitely things I didn't like about the novel such as character motivations, etc, but overall this is a great book that makes you think.

The Fixer Upper- Andrews [Book #3]

I wanted a light breezy well-written novel and hoped that this book would live up to fit the bill. It began very interesting and I enjoyed reading about how the young attorney got caught up in a political scandal, thrown under the bus by her boss, and then headed to Guthrie, Georgia to fix up her family's old fixer upper and in the process fixed up herself. While the bare bones outline of this story is good enough, I just didn't really connect with the protagonist and her love interest and thought the author fell a little too in love with the details of fixing up a house. While not a bad book, it wasn't a great book, one that I ultimately skimmed quickly at many parts, and felt I missed nothing as a result.

The Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie- Bradley [Book #2]

A lovely book about a young orphaned girl Flavia growing up in a creaky old mansion in a town in which nothing much happens until a dead sparrow with a suspicious postage stamp affixed to his beak winds up at their doorstep followed by a red haired man breathing out his last breath as the eleven year old Flavia looks on determined to solve the mystery of exactly what is going on. The story is earnest, light hearted, and well written. I do wish it had been edited a bit as the history of postage stamps went on a touch too long, and the ending was drawn out longer than I would have liked, but I very much enjoyed this debut novel and will certainly keep an eye out for others Bradley writes.

Patron Saint of Liars- Patchett [Book #1]

After reading Ann Patchett's beautiful epic novel Bel Canto I immediately set about finding her other books to quickly devour. [Warning: small spoilers may follow] Patron Saints of Liars does not disappoint to a certain extent as her debut novel does have a similar beautiful writing style, an easy way with sentences and character creation that makes you lose yourself completely in the story. I liked this story for the most part but I had a really difficult time understanding the percipitating event that led to everything in this novel. I have a hard time believing not loving your kind husband is enough of a reason to run away and leave behind everyone including the mother who desperately loves you and who you also desperately love in return particularly when Rose knows that her mother would help her and support her through a divorce if she wanted. Taking on the life she took instead makes zero sense to me. I also really wish the author hadn't divided the novel into three sections one of Rose a woman leaving behind a loveless marriage and heading to an unwed mother's home to give her baby away, the second of Son the man she meets at the Home, and the third the story of the daughter she gives birth to. I will say that this is another one of her novels that makes me think and that leaves characters who stick with me for some time to come, so I'm glad to have read it, but it was a library read, not one that I should have purchased.

An update

I'm reviewing books at my new site. If you're interested I'd love to see you there- otherwise I hope the years of reviews I've maintained at this site are of some help to you. Thanks for reading!

Food Rules- Pollan (Book #18)

I wanted to read this book since I found his other books to have quite an impact on my life and how I view food. While this is a light read, the downside is its a light read. Its really just quotes from his other works. It felt like a publisher who just wanted to make more money off the same concept recycled it to make this book. I wouldn't buy it, but if its at the library or if a friend wanted to lend it to you then you could read it since its not bad, just not that useful if you've read his other stuff. And honestly, if you've not read his other stuff, read that, not this.

The Hate List-Brown (Book #17)

A powerful YA book about a girl who is living with the after effects of her boyfriend performing a "Columbine-like" massacre on the students that had picked on him and Valerie, his girlfriend, for years. Valerie and him had compiled a notebook with a list of people they hated. It was from this list that her boyfriend picked his victims. Though Valerie never knew he would use the list as anything more than a tool to vent with, she is looked at with suspicion when she returns to school not only from teachers and classmates, but from her own parents who also not-so-secretly blame her for what happened. This is a story about healing and forgiving oneself. I enjoyed it though it followed a very predictable format for me. Still, over all, a poignantly written novel.

Revenge of The Spellmans- Lutz (Book #16)

A humorous tale of a former-detective trying to leave the family business but finding it near impossible to actually do. We follow the lead character as she investigates minor cases, figures herself out, and tries to discover what secrets are ailing her family.

I thought this was an okay book. Not awful by any means, but not quite as funny as it was promised to be. Just a very solid medium. In defense of this book- I did not read the first two in this series, so perhaps had I done so I might have a different opinion on this book.

Butterfly Mosque- Wilson (Book #15)

Can't say enough about this book. I thought it would be another conversion story full of effusive good words for Islam and while this is well and good, this book is far more than this. It's elegantly written about Willow's journey to Islam and meeting her husband as she taught in language school in Egypt. She discusses challenges in our faith, in the west, and how she is forming a third culture in between with her multi-cultural families. She is not a perfect Muslim. She is human. And Muslim. And that is why I loved this read.

Book of Joe- Tropper (Book #14)

I love anything this guy writes. He is similar to Nick Hornby who I also love though he deals with sometimes a bit harsher issues. This is a story about Joe and how he wrote about his town Bush Falls in scathing terms and never returned for 17 years until his father got ill. He returns to learn that the town residents hate him for the words he wrote. What follows is a look into dying, prejudice, the meaning of life, and so and so forth. I find myself often underlining passages and parts of this book. Its just beautifully written. It's deep without being heavy handed. I find it interesting though, as a side note, that the more ou read certain author's collective works, the more you learn a bit about them too. I've begun to identify themes in Tropper's books that show up in all of them. As you read more and more of an author's book you begin to feel you're treading in autobiography more than you previously thought. Still, this is definitely a book I might read again.

Hand Wash Cold- Miller (Book #13)

I read this because I had read Momma Zen and loved it and wanted to devour anything else she penned. Hand Wash Cold is about enjoying and appreciating the life you currently have instead of being dissatisfied because you want more or the next big thing. This one was a little bit more boring than her previous book and not as insightful as I had hoped. It was still okay, but I struggled trying to finish it.

Pride and Prejudice- Austen (Book #12)

Wonderful and perfect each and every time. I've read Austen's other works but this is my favorite book by far. I particularly liked Penguin's new cover for the book. Very cool. I know you should not judge a book by its cover but when a cover is this cool it does make you look twice. In any case, this is a perfect love story that is awesome on every read, and I can't wait to now watch the BBC miniseries!!

Momma Zen- Miller (Book #11)

There are a million and one books written about motherhood and parenting but if you must purchase one book let it be this one. Miller writes beautifully about her journey in motherhood with small chapters filled with beautiful reflections and advice that I truly took for heart. It's a must buy and re-read.

Can You Keep A Secret- Kinsella (book #10)

This is a re-read reviewed here!

Your Baby And Child- Leach (Book #9)

I got this as a baby shower gift and I really do find myself relying on this for a great deal of knowledge. I find the author a little bossy in some of her views which turns me off since I appreciate a more objective read when it comes to things like childcare but overall its been a book I have relied on considerably and is worth the read.

Zeitoun- Eggers (Book #8)

A must read. The true story of a Syrian man Zeitoun, and his family's hellish ordeal through and after Hurricane Katrina. The book is so powerful without even trying to as we learn about what this heroic man Zeitoun had to endure both through the failed policies of Katrina as well as the 'war on terror'. I enjoyed this book thoroughly and feel sad that I knew so little of what happened in Katrina. Why. WHY doesn't the media actually do its job? These stories should have been front and center.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo- Larsson (Book #7)

A fast-paced story about a man accused of a crime he did not do. As he waits for his prison sentence, he is given an opportunity of a lifetime: discover who killed an elderly man's niece and in exchange receive a hefty sum of money and a chance to clear his name. Little does he know how complicated his journey will be. I enjoyed this story. It is just that- a story. There is no depth or thought-provoking situations, very much like a Koonz book- fun and light but worth the read.

Baby Bargains- Fields (Book #6)

If you are having a baby this is a must have book. It's an informative guide to everything you would need to buy for a baby with tons of reviews and options and advice on what you need and what you really don't. I take it with me whenever I go shopping and its been very handy in avoiding things I might have bought had I not known the safety ratings and issues the furniture had.

The Unnamed- Ferris (Book # 5)

I loved Ferris' first book and so eagerly awaited this book from the library. Its very well written, certainly a departure from the dark comedy of his earlier book but still you can tell you're in the presence of a good writer. This is a story of a man who suffers from something unnamed, he is convinced its biological but most doctors suspect its psychological. From time-to-time this successful attorney, husband and father, must take a walk that he cannot prevent himself from going on despite the weather, conditions, or where he is at the moment. This disease takes away everything in his life and this book involves us watching his life unravel. It's a sad disturbing book. While well written, I did not find the plot as satisfying as I would like. Still, its a good book but its not as good as his first novel in my opinion.

No Place Safe- Reid

What an absolutely beautiful read. It has been so long since I've come across a book that I just can't put down and I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging well written memoir about life in Atlanta as a young black woman comes of age. Her mother is police officer and in charge of investigating a serial killer in the area killing mostly young boys, some blocks from where the author lived. The author writes powerfully about racism, the murders, being a single mother, and a child growing up caught between two worlds. Strongly recommend reading!

Any black person could probably tell you- no white hood is needed to see the truth in people who hate a race for simply being. The danger just rises from them like steam from just rained on asphalt in summer."- Reid

It Sucked and Then I Cried- Armstrong (Book #3)

I read the website of this author, and I was disappointed that her book seemed more or less her website in book format, nothing new or different. I thought the book was going to talk about post-partum depression since that's what some of the reviews implied but she didn't really get into it. Sure she talks about crying and checking herself into a clinic for a few days but I really didn't think she did the best job describing this condition and seemed more intent on being funny. If you want a good view of the first year that really is funny but also incredibly poignant I recommend reading Lamott's "Operating Instructions" instead. If you've never read Dooce's website you might enjoy the book though.

The Happiest Baby on The Block- Karp (Book #2)

I'm a big Karp fan because I've found that when I instinctively have tried the five S's he advocates in his book, they do work on babies I've held in the past. This book is essentially a book on how to soothe colicky or fussy babies up to three months of age. He has five things called the 5 S's that he says are guarunteed to work each time.

1. Swaddling
2. Sucking
3. Side/stomach holding
4. Swinging
5. Shhing
   

This book should serve as a companion to watching his DVD of the same name where he demonstrates how to actually implement the five S's into the life of your newborn child. This book is good to get the theory behind why these five Ss work so well.

The Help- Stockhard (Book #1)

I have considered reading this book so often but I always put it back in 2009 due to its length. A book club I joined was reading this book and I'm so glad I finally got a chance to sit down and read it. The Help focuses on three women in the south at the cusp of the civil rights movements. Jim Crow laws are still in effect and the south is resisting the changes to come. We follow the lives of two black maids and a white woman Skeeter as they live their lives and slowly decide to undertake a project that could jeopardize their futures but one they can't seem to walk away from. It took me about 30 pages to get into the book and I admit had I not been reading it for a book club I might have just put it away after the first few chapters because the vernacular threw me off and I could not seem to get past it. I'm glad I kept reading because Stockhard has a gift for story telling and her writing keeps you turning the pages and you are sad when you reach the end of this beautiful story.

Reading List for 2010

(Key: bolded: read. italicized: reading. Nothing: to be read)

1. The Help
2. The Art of Happiness
3. The Groom To Have Been
4. The Happiest Baby on The Block
5. It sucked and then I cried
6. Baby Bargains
7. Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
8. The Happiness Project
9. Push
10. The Wasted Vigil
11. Shantaram
12. The Seamstress
13. The Hours
14. The Turn Around
15.

Books I gave up on
1. Middlemarch. Seemed interesting but I couldn't seem to get into it and its 800+ pages so I really did need to love it out of the gate.

Books 91-100 for 2009

91. I'm Pregnant! Now What Do I Eat?
92. I'm Pregnant! A week by week guide.
93. What To Expect When You're Expecting.
94. What To Expect When Your Wife is Expanding
95. The Mayo Clinic Guide To Pregnancy
96. What to Eat When you're expecting.
97. Baby Talk: What to expect that first year
98. Father's First Steps
99. Diaper-Free Before 3
100. You and Your Baby Pregnancy: A week by week guide

Writing Down The Bones- Goldberg (Book #90)

Eh. This is a book about writing advice. Maybe its useful for someone afraid to write, who doesn't now how to begin the process of simply getting words down. She talks a lot about writing prompts and spontaneous writing but I'm writing short stories and novels and the advice seemed obvious and unhelpful. The main points, told over and over again in 100 different ways is "write", "don't be afraid of writing", "be honest". Got it.

Crooked Little Heart- Lamott (Book #89)

I feel bad giving this book a low rating because I think some people will love it but it just wasn't for me. This is a book about a family and insights into their dysfunctionality. I was shocked to learn this book has been assigned reading in 9th grade english. The story is fine in and of itself but I think I've read too much of Lamott's autobiography in memoirs to be able to read the story as fiction and not just small vignettes about her real life. I think I prefer her memoirs to her novels but I will give her one more try in the fictional arena.

Happier- Ben Shahar (Book #88)

I truly enjoyed this book written by a Harvard professor on the science of happiness. The book emphasizes finding meaning and purpose in your life, that money does not equate happiness, and remembering that this is it, this life we have, and to be happy we need not wait for a goal to be fulfilled, life is the journey. All of this is cliche but he does it a lot more thoroughly. I think its a must read for people who are confused about where they are in their lives and are searching for what they must do to be happy.

The Age of Grief- Smiley (Book #87)

I enjoyed Jane Smiley's writing in this book. She deftly captures human emotion and my favorite in this short story collection was her novella, the namesake of this book which has been made into a major motion picture, "The secret lives of dentists."

Traveling Mercies- Lamott (Book #86)

Are you noticing that when I like an author I start devouring everything they come out with? This is why I read this book, Lamott's thoughts on faith. She is Christian, I am Muslim but I was curious as to her thoughts on faith in general and that is pretty much what she focused on. This book is a series of vignettes on different areas of her life and her thoughts about God's hand in those moments. Its a nice gentle read, some parts made me get choked up, some made me laugh. I thought it would focus a little more on the struggle so I was a little disappointed but that was my expectation, not a promsie she made.

Gourmet Rhapsody- Barbery (Book #85)

I love reading books that focus on the little things such as books by Alexander McCall Smith but I was disappointed in this book. This is a novel about a food critic who is both loved and hated. We find him on his death bed trying to remember a flavor from his past and we see his childhood and other musings on food. The story also has stories from others in his life. There are too many characters and its hard to know when you start reading whose perspective you are reading. A few titles do tell you but most just have random headings and how am I supposed to know who is narrating when there are at least 10 different narrators in a very slim book? I can tell some will find this book to be a deep and loving reflection on food, but I was not particularly impressed.

American Primitive- Oliver (Book #84)

Sometimes you will sit with a slim book of a mere 60+ pages for months, while you devour 400 page mammoths in a few simple days. I've been reading this book of poetry since at least February but have only today forced myself to sit down and complete it. I love poetry and I love reflections on nature and I know a lot of people love Oliver, she won a Pulitzer for her poetry! But I just could not get into her poems. Some were indeed beautiful but on the whole it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Operating Instructions- Lamott (Book #83)

I like Anne Lamott and as I've shown in my book reading selections of this year, when I like an author I start reading everything they write (Russo, Tropper, etc). I heart this book. Its an honest insight into the first year of raising a baby as a single woman and I found the book both hilarious, honest, and heartbreaking.

Bird By Bird- Lamott (Book #82)

Since I'm in the process of revising my manuscript I figured I'd re-read this book again. I did not like it that much the first go around but I think I liked it more this time. I think my needs were different then, as opposed to now. Then, I wanted to know how to get published and how to write a good book. She isn't writing about this. She's really just writing a long book that essentially boils down to this: believe in your writing and don't give up even if you think it sucks. Also, write the truth. It was a nice read now and a good reminder that all writers struggle a little, even successful ones.

I am Neurotic- Kong (Book #81)

This is a humor book based on a blog (www.iamneurotic.com) where people post anonymously about neurosis they have. It's a quick light read with interesting confessions.

Tell Me Something True- Cabo (Book #80)

This is a book about a girl whose mother died in a plane crash. She lives in LA with her movie producer father and visits her grandmother in Columbia each year and revisits the memories of her mother. The premise of the story is there is a lot more to her mother that she never was told and the book's blurb says "what happens when you find out everything you thought was true was a lie?" Except that's not true. There is something she didn't know about her mother, but its not earth shattering and it does not invalidate any other part of her life. The story pushed itself as being way more dramatic than it was and I found the constant POV changes a little distracting and unnecessary.

Plan B- Tropper (Book #79)

If you scroll the list of my recent reads you'll see Tropper's books quite a bit. When I like an author I tend to devour their entire list of published books. This was the last of the books I had yet to read by Tropper. I must admit that as is the case with most authors who I read extensively I begin to see themes and though this is kind of cool, it also sometimes can feel like you're reading a variation of the same story again. I can't hold this against Tropper with this book as this is his debut novel, so any books I subsequently read are instead, variations of this, not vice versa.

This is a book about a group of 30 somethings who are very close and are all at various stages in their lives, some sucessful some not so much. They are drifting apart but come together out of concern for one of their friends who appears to have a drug problem. Hilarity and deep moments ensue.

I enjoyed the book as I've enjoyed most of Tropper's books which have a good dose of reality and deep reflection along with laughter at the small absurdities of life.

Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz- Acosta (Book #78)

I should start by saying I doubt I am the target audience for this book, so though I did not particularly love it, that's not to say a Spanish-American reader would not love it. This is a story about a woman whose husband just left for reasons we only find out later, and has to deal with her two children. Diego, the eldest is trying to be the man of the house while he deals with a crush on his friend's sister, and Carmen is furious, a ball of anger at her mother who she perceives to be the reason that their father left. The story trails Ana as she tries to make sense of her marriage, her children, her dreams and an artist on campus whom she is attracted to. I don't mind books that sprinkle other languages into the dialogue but this book took it a step too far. Also, I thought the author focused too much on the daughter-mother hatred and then summed it up in a matter of a paragraph or so at the end. I would have liked more exploration and understanding of the marriage and the husband's reasons for what he did.

How To Talk To a Widower- Tropper (Book #77)

I told you, when I find an author I start reading everything they write, and considering the last few books are Tropper books you should not be surprised that again I'm reviewing a book by the same guy. One interesting thing about reading an author's entire work is you begin seeing trends in their writing and the same has been true for Tropper. This novel is about a 29 year old widower grieving his wife's death and writing a monthly column about it. He also is being pushed into dating and dealing with his stepson, a 16 year old sullen kid who is a trouble make but deeply hurt. It's a book about love, and grief and family and he certainly can nail the topic of grief quite accurately.

Everything Changes- Tropper (Book #76)

When I find an author I like, I tend to stick with them for a little while so this is the second Tropper book I've read in the span of a few weeks. This one is about a 32 year old guy working at a nondescript job engaged to a beautiful young woman and who is afraid he might have cancer. The story follows as his estranged father shows up to possibly reconcile, he deals with the potential ramifications of cancer, a job he hates, and being in love with someone other than his fiancee. Though it all sounds ho hum run of the mill, the story is beautifully told and the man can write laugh out loud funny dialogue like few can.

Fortune Cookie Chronicles- Lee (Book # 75)

I feel triumphant finishing this book as I've been reading it for at least four months now. It's not the book is bad by any means, its just that its a book exploring Chinese Fortune Cookies and Chinese restaurants in the US and around the world. Interesting, but by its nature, not a suspenseful page turner. Lee has written an interesting book with fun facts and history about not just Chinese restaurants and fortune cookies but also about Chinese immigrants. Their stories were the ones that kept my attention the most. Overall, a bit lengthy read for me simply due to the topic, but well written and entertaining.

This is where I leave you- Tropper (Book #74)

I was afraid this book would be bulky and heavy like Jonathon Franzen's The Corrections but this was instead a well-written funny book about family. Judd, the main character is in the middle of a divorce and his father died. He is at his childhood home with siblings he rarely sees and with whom he has much built up resentment. This sounds like really heavy duty stuff, and it is but its told so well that you end up feeling uplifted in every way. I plan to read many more of this author's work!

The Blue Notebook- Levine (Book #73)

This is a haunting and disturbing novel written from the perspective of a young girl in India sold into prostitution. The author is a white male from the U.S. but reading it you can't believe anyone but the 15 year old Batuk is telling her story. Through her journal we learn how she was sold into slavery at the age of 9 by her father and we travel with her through the nine years of slavery she endured. The scenes towards the end get very ambiguous and I wish I knew more about what happened in the ending sequences but wow was it a gruesome horrific situation. I hope I can get the image out of my mind. Levine writes beautifully and heartbreakingly. All royalties the author gets from the US he is donating to the center for missing and exploited children.

The Weight of Silence- Gudenkauf (Book # 72)

I saw this book at Borders and felt intrigued by the title and the cover page. As I stood there a salesperson approached me and said this book was flying off the shelf like hotcakes. I assume this is a very good thing so I did what most people would do, I requested it from the library. This is a very easy read about a girl named Callie, a selective mute who has not spoken since the age of 4. She lives wit her mother, brother Ben, and an abusive alcoholic father, Griff. The story shows her being led into the woods by her father on a drunken angry rampage, and then we see that she does not come back. Neither does her neighbor's daughter and best friend Petra. The story focuses on what happened to each of these children told from each persons point of view. I enjoyed this suspenseful tale very much.

Olive Kitteridge-Strout (Book #71)

I've heard so much buzz about this book I couldn't resist picking it up. The book is a series of thirteen short stories of a town called Crosby, Maine. Each story focuses on different characters though Olive somehow is present in each scene. I normally don't like short-stories because I find the endings too vague and unsatisfying but I did not feel that with this book. Olive is a very complicated woman and Strout does a good job with her. For the most part she is a difficult woman, particularly when the stories are not told from her point of view. But when we see her eyes on a situation I kind of get it, even when she's destroying her daughter-in-laws clothing, or being cruel in the words she uses. Overall, I enjoyed this collection of stories and it has left me thinking about other difficult people in my lives. I wonder, like Olive, are they completely incapabable of changign or understanding how they come across? It helps me at least with a degree of empathy.

Juliet, Naked- Hornby (Book #70)

Hornby is another favorite author of mine so it was fun to move from Russo's novel to this one. I would certainly say that this novel was not my favorite of Hornby's. This is a story told from a girl's perspective, Annie. She is 39 years old in a dead end relationship to a man obsessed with a reclusive ex-rocker Tucker Crowe. The story winds together her boyfriend, Tucker Crowe and her increasing longing for more than there is in the yesteryear seaside town she lives in. Hornby writes well so the story reads nice but I was disappointed by the plot and more so by the conclusion. Still, not all bad as it is Hornby after all.

That Old Cape Magic- Russo (Book #69)

Russo is one of my favorite authors even though the more you read his books the more you see such common themes you begin wondering how much of his fiction is from his real life. I enjoyed this book because Russo can write about anything and make it enjoyable. The story is about a man going to the Cape to attend his daughter's friend's wedding. The Cape is where his parents vacationed with him each year and visiting it now, 30 years later brings with his father's ashes to scatter, and a wife who is growing increasingly annoyed with him brings back strong memories of the past and his childhood. Russo has a way with bringing characters to life so I enjoyed the story though it was certainly not one of my favorites.

The Angel's Game- Zafon (Book #68)

I devoured Zafon's earlier book Shadow of the Wind so eagerly awaited my copy of The Angel's Game. I must confess I'm disappointed. Shadow was a seamless novel, the story was complex with lots of drama and intrigue but everything tied together in the end. With The Angel's Game, this was not the case. We are left with threads unconnected, with questions left unanswered, and an ending that seems like an easy supernatural way out. He writes beautifully so I kept reading, hoping things would wrap up, but they did not.

Lime Tree Can't Bear Orange- Smyth (Book #67)

This is a beautiful character driven novel set in Trinidad and Tabago about Celia, a young girl, raped by her uncle and forced to flee. On her way she meets a doctor who takes her in as a maid for his family and the novel follows her life at a steady pace. The author writes beautifully and I felt like each character was well drawn out and I could picture the scenes and settings in my mind. The story also has an interesting twist towards the end which helped this character novel end with a zing.

A Change In Altitude- Shreve (Book #66)

I enjoyed Shreve's book "The Pilot's Wife" and looked forward to reading this latest book by her. This is a story of a 20 something couple living in Kenya. They start the story going on a hike up Mount Kenya that proves disastrous and has long reaching consequences upon their marriage. The book explores the rift between the couple and the landscape of Kenya a place I can tell through reading that Shreve loves. I wish I was able to connect more with the characters. Except for Rafik a Pakistani journalist, I could not get invest in any particular character. Still, if you like Shreve's books, you will like this one too.

The Thirteenth Tale- Setterfield (Book #65)

I have mixed emotions about this book. It was well written, the story is interesting, but somehow I was put off by its attempt to be uber goth. Jane Eyre comes up a lot and I feel the author tried hard to emulate it. Still, its an interesting story about an author Vida Winters who spins marvelous tales but who never reveals her life. She finally chooses the narrator to tell her final tale, the tale of her own life. The story is disturbing, at times it made me queasy, but the ultimate outcome is unexpected and enjoyable.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn- Smith (Book #64)

This is a classic tale of young Francie growing up in Brooklyn at the turn of the century. This book follows her life as she grows up in poverty. Her mother is a janitor, her father Johnny works sporadically as a singing waiter, and her Aunt Sissy has ten dead babies and goes through husbands like spring coats. This is a book focused on character development. It is a coming of age tale as we see Francie first feel amazed and enchanted by her life, and then as she grows older, we see her disillusionment and her doubts for her future. I enjoyed this book very much, the writing is gentle and beautiful and I fell in love with Francie. The author did a great job making each character feel real and true to life.

The Goodbye Cousins- Leffler (Book #63)

The title and the cover art intrigued me when I saw this book at a bookstore, so I requested it from the library. The main character was kidnapped as a child by her mother and taken to Europe. Now, an adult she is back in the US living with her cousin and figuring her life out. This book was fascinating but not for the normal reasons. The writing was good, the characters were interesting but the technical aspects of the novel got very much in the way of the tale. As an aspiring writer whose shown my work to others some critique I've received is being careful of my prologue and being easy on the flashbacks. They said that it can take the reader out of the moment and the biggest thing you want is for a reader to be fall into and fully absorb the story. This novel began in fits and starts. The prologue was cute but had no bearing on the rest of the novel. The flashbacks were very disorienting. Lots of plot stories were left hanging. I guess what I'm trying to say is I saw what could have been a fantastic book but turned into quite mediocre due to the mistakes that I've been taught to avoid. So why was this so fascinating? I saw in print what I was told not to do. And I finally understood why.

Houston We Have a Problema- Zepeda (Book#62)

This is a multicultural chick lit about a girl, Jessica, and her struggles in love, work, and family. It's a cute fun read about angst in figuring out who you're supposed to end up with, and whether you should stay in a job if you're unhappy, and the difficulties adult children have with accepting their parent's marriages are far from perfect. To figure it out, Jessica relies on a local fortune teller who gives her ideas on which way to proceed in the complicated areas of her life. The book was fun and a very easy read. I didn't always care for her writing but the story line was endearing enough to help me overlook it.

Secrets of a Former Fat Girl- Delaney (Book #61)

This book is a great practical guide to losing weight that doesn't teach you any new secret fad diets but simply gives you motivation to pursue whatever diet plan you are on. She is someone who struggled with weight for years and finally reached her goal. I've read the book three times now and each time I learn something new.

Up a Road Slowly - Hunt (Book #60)

In the lovely book Shadow of the Wind, the author describes how the first book a reader reads and loves remains forever in their hearts much like first love. I agree and this statement prompted me to turn to Up A Road Slowly for a re-read, perhaps my fifteen re-read since childhood. This is a young adult tale of growing up. The story finds Julie, seven years old, recovering from an illness that took her mother's life and hysterical with grief and fear. She is taken five miles up the road into the country to be raised by her spinster aunt Cordelia because Julie's father is busy teaching and her eldest sister busy with school. Julie hates it there at first but overtime she grows up in the home and this is a gentle, slow story about the pain of growing up and the lessons we learn along the way. This book held magic for me as a child and now as I read it fully grown reading this book felt like visiting my childhood once again.

The Gift- Hafiz (Book #59)

I read this book ten years ago and re-reading it was a treat just as it was then. This is a collection of poetry by the sufi master Hafiz translated into English by Ladinsky. I enjoyed this extensive series of poems very much. I posted my favorite poem here.

The Shadow of The Wind- Zafon (Book #58)

Very few books capture one's imagination and transport them completely into another world. This book is just such a book. It's a book I remember from childhood where you fall into the story and forget everything around you. This is a complex gothic novel translated from Spain about a boy Daniel who discovers a book, the only one of its kind and falls in love with the writing. When he seeks out other books by the author he learns that someone is going around methodically burning all the books by this author. So begins Daniel's quest which unravels in exciting and unpredictable ways. The writing is breathtaking and the insights are profound. This is a book I will certainly be purchasing for my bookshelf soon.

Italian For Beginners- Harmel (Book #57)

Italian For Beginners is a travelogue and chick lit tale all in one. The story follows Cat, a 34 year old single girl who has played it safe her entire life, caring for her father and younger sister and nursing emotional bruises from the abandonment of her mother at an early age. At her sister's wedding she meets a man who reminds her of her passion for Italy, a city she visited years earlier and the man she left behind. On a whim after a seemingly disastrous date Cat decides to take a four week vacation to Italy and perhaps rekindle her relationship with her ex. Things don't go as planned in Italy and she finds herself dumped by her ex and lost and alone until she finds a waitress who agrees to let her stay in a room in her home. So begins Cat's exploration of Italy and herself as she finds out who she truly is and what she really wants.

Harry Potter Book 7- Rowling (Book #56)

Unless you've lived under a rock you've likely heard of Harry Potter. This was my second read of Book 7 but I kind of needed to lose myself in a good book and though its a bit lengthy particularly considering I'm on a 100 book challenge and falling behind, it was worth the detour. Not much to say by way of summary except she touches on many issues that go beyond the wizarding world and her last book is by far my favorite.

Benny and Shrimp- Mazetti (Book #55)

This is a very sweet and unexpected love story between Benny and Desiree (Shrimp). The writing reminded me of a charming book series I love 44 Scotland Street. They meet at the graveyard. She goes to remember her late husband, he goes to remember his mother. At first they are annoyed by one another but as the story progresses they grow interested and a surprising love story develops. Shrimp is a cultured librarian living in the city who enjoys the opera and values her education. Benny is a farmer working his family's dairy farm. They are very different people yet they cannot fight their attraction to one another. The story is told in alternating chapters with Benny's point of view and then Shrimp's point of view. Mazetti's work could be another silly romance but her writing is what truly sets this book apart as well as her insight into heavy topics such as loneliness and the lengths we go to escape it. I'm glad she is coming out with a sequel because the ending for me needed more. I wanted to keep reading on about what happened with both of them. Hopefully like 44 Scotland Street she will continue to let us learn more about the characters she created.

Into the Beautiful North- Urrerra (Book #54)

Wow, two books in a row that were riveting from start to finish. This is a story of a small town Tres Camarones, a sleepy coastal town where all the men have left to go North to find work leaving women and children behind. A group of drug cartel people discover this hidden nook and decide to take over. With no men to defend Nayeli, a teenage girl in the village decides, they must go to the U.S and bring back men to repopulate the village and kick out the bad guys. She assembles a small posse with the blessing of Auntie Irma, the town Mayor.

The story follows their struggle to the US and is more about the journey than the ultimate resolution of the story. Urrerra writes very well and I enjoyed this novel very much. The characters are so real and believable that I had to stay up until 2am to see them through. I would love to read more about them to learn how their lives ended up. I particularly love that the woman was portrayed as strong and brave and the leader of the pack.

My only complaint with this novel was the premise of why they had to leave was not adequately laid out. We knew some bad people came but we did not see much example of what happened to perciptiate such a dramatic reaction. It would have been nice to have some chapters devotecd to what was happening back home to help create more tension and a sense of understanding as to why they chose the steps they did.

Still, the novel is really good and I highly recommend it.

I'm So Happy For You- Rosenfield (Book #53)

It's been a good long while since I've read such a delightful fun and honest novel about life. I simply could not put this book down, it was unpredictable until the end. I'm So Happy For You is about the nature of friendship between women, particularly two women, Wendy and Daphne. Both have been friends for fifteen years and the novel shows how their friendship formed, and how Wendy perceives her friend. Wendy felt in a comfort zone when beautiful Daphne couldn't get her act together but then Daphne does. She meets a rich handsome guy, gets engaged and pregnant while Wendy struggles with an unemployed husband, months of futile babymaking, and a job she is less than thrilled with. The novel follows how their relationship unfolds as their lives change.

It's funny because I was just talking to a friend about how I feel Im not good at this friendship business. I've experienced so much of both what Daphne has experienced as well as Wendy. Daphne represents so many friends I've had and so does Wendy. This novel helped me reach a better understanding of the nature of friendship making me feel less alone. Rosenfield did a fantastic job capturing a powerful human relationship: female friendship.

Hollywood is like highschool with money- Dean (Book #52)

This is a very quick lighthearted read about a girl, Taylor, who moves to LA to work for a studio Metronome as an assistant with big dreams in movies. When she arrives she learns that Hollywood is complicated and you have to know how to play the game if you want to get ahead. With the help of her superior's daughter, Taylor learns how to make it in the industry. Only later does Taylor wonder if its worth it to succeed if the lengths she has to go through are so extreme. The movie reminded me of books I read when I was younger like Sweet Valley High. Entertaining, easy to read. A take-it-to-the-beach sort of book.

Frommer's Spain 2009 (Book #51)

I love Frommer's and I enjoyed it for Spain though I do like the Frommer's Guide to Costa Rica and a few other countries slightly better. We enjoyed all the hotels they recommended and I appreciate they include wii fii listings for reach hotel.

Spain- Fodors 2009 (Book #50)

Fodors was good though I am more used to the format of Frommer's. I enjoyed that the hotel recommendations included pros and cons for each hotel. I did find one inaccuracy in the book that cost us a few hours of time but otherwise it was decent.

The Garden of Truth- Nasr (Book #49)

This book just may change my life. Dr. Nasr is a Sufi himself and this book is a beginner's guide to understanding Sufism and provides a brief history on Sufism. I was surprised at how little I knew of Sufism and how truly thoughtful and deep it is. My favorite part that I have written and practically memorized is this hadith:

Who seeketh me findeth me. Who findeth me knoweth me. Who knoweth me loves me. Who loves me him I love. Whom I love him I slay. Whom I slay him must I requite. Whom I requite, Myself am his requital.

Ornament of the World- Menocal (Book #48)

I'm heading to Spain and wanted to read this book to get a better idea of the history of medieval Spain. This is a very interesting book about the culture of tolerance that once existed in Spain as the three major world religions worked side by side. I enjoyed the vignettes of different historical figures, and felt devastated when I read how the Jews and Muslims were ultimately expelled by Queen Isabella. The book is told with snippets of stories of different historical people and major events. The author jumps around a bit with flashbacks that left me a bit confused from time to time, but over all it is a very good book that leaves me better informed for my trip.

My favorite was a poem by Abd al-Rahman, the man who began the Muslim Empire in Spain:

A palm tree stands in the middle of Rusafa,
Born in the West, far from the land of palms.
I said to it: How like me you are, far away and in exile,
In long separation from family and friends.
You have sprung from soil in which you are a stranger,
And I like you, am far from home.

Annie's Ghosts- Luxenberg (Book#47)

What a fascinating read! This was a book I got completely lost in. I love it when that happens with a book. Steve grew up thinking his mother was an only child. She told him stories of being an only child, and the picture of her childhood showed just her with her parents. Decades later, as his mother was on her death bed, he finds out from a social worker that his mother mentioned she had a sister. Who was this sister? Why did his mother never mention her before? These are questions Steve never gets to ask her for she passes away before they can be asked. This is a story about Steve's quest to find out what happened to the aunt he never knew. Steve uses his investigative journalist skills and learns that his aunt was handicapped since childbirth and institutionalized at 21 for mental illness. This story is more than just about his aunt though, it is also about the other ghosts he digs up along the way. Through his journey he describes how mental illness was handled in the past, and explores not just what Annie went through but what many others like her went through before there was greater understanding of mental illness and intellectual disabilities. Although I did feel the story could have been shortened by a chapter or two, I found it to be an easy read.

I first heard of this story through NPR. To read his interview and read an excerpt click here.

Get Off Your 'But'- Stephenson (Book#46)

This book is a very inspiring and easy read about ditching your excuses and making the most of your life. Stephenson is a motivational speaker and a psychotherapist. He also has a rare condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta also known as brittle bone disorder. As a result he has always been in a wheelchair and dealt with a lot in his life. However, in his book, Stephenson talks about how he never let his disability become an excuse for him not to make a good life for himself. The book has seven topics to motivate you to better you life and let go of the fears and inhibitions holding you back. I found it an interesting read and I know I will certainly be re-reading this book again.


Pain is inevitable. Eventually, it touches us all. Suffering, however, is optional. -Stephenson

The Divorce Party- Dave (Book #45)

This is a well written novel about the nature of trust and of course, about divorce. The story follows two women. Gwyn is having a divorce party honoring her 35 year marriage with her husband and trying to let go gracefully. Her husband told her he decided to become Buddhist and wants to live a different life. She accepts this while she battles with a painful truth. The other woman is Maggie who is engaged to Nick, Gwyn's son. She is going with Nick to Mountauk, NY to attend the party and meet his family for the first time. Along the way she realizes that her fiancee is harboring quite a few secrets. The story moves at a suspenseful clip and makes for an easy read. I enjoyed the book for the most part but towards the end I felt the story was getting a little hokey. Still, I would recommend it to readers.

Confetti Girl- Lopez (Book #44)

I finished this book wanting to give it a standing ovation. This book was beautiful, flawless. This is a YA novel about Lina, and her life after losing her mother. She lives with her father, a book aficianado who is coping with his wife's loss by turning to his books and fumbling with all sincerity to be a good father and mother. Her best friend lives across the street with a single mother who begins the novel hating men and making confetti eggs. This is a snapshot of the life of a middle schooler dealing with love and loss. I wept at least three times reading this book. The writer has a gift with words, and I plan to buy this book one day.

I've tasted tears before. They're salty, just like the water below, and I wonder if the ocean is made of tears from all the peple and all the animals that have lost their mothers. After a while my dad comes and sits beside me. "I miss her," I say. "He says, I miss her too, m'ija." Then he puts his arm around me and we spend a few minutes filling the ocean together.

On Hearts: real hearts are reddish purple -- like bruises. No wonder it hurts to love.

B as in Beauty- Ferreras (Book #43)

They say don't judge a book by its cover, I also should add you must not judge a book by its title either. B as in Beauty on title alone struck me as potentially an ultra uppity perky chick lit novel, but since Tee recommended it and it arrived on my doorstep thanks to a contest I won on her site, I had the perfect incentive to pick up and read it.

This book is about a fat girl (self proclaimed) who hates herself and is losing at love and work but along the way learns what it is to be proud of who she is. She learns this in the most unlikeliest of manners but the book sucks you in that you suspend disbelief and you float along.

I love books where I can lose myself. Doing the 100 book challenge means that sometimes I feel the need to read quickly and get frustrated with too much detail. Not this book A good book makes you forget you are reading, you feel you are experiencing the tale as it unfolds. B as in Beauty did that. I know after I complete my challenge this will be a book I will certainly re-read.

Shopgirl- Martin (Book #42)

I've heard good things about this book but I always hesitated because Steve Martin was the author and he's an actor. I pictured it a foray of an egocentric actor thinking, writing? How hard could it be? I borrowed it from the library because I saw good reviews and it was short. I've been reading some doozy long books lately and I needed a breezy short one. I read Shopgirl in one sitting and though I expected to dislike it because the main character was one of those depressed wanderers and I thought oh great, its just going to be a bunch o kids experiencing agnst. Yawn. But the book rocked! This is a novella about a girl and her relationships but its more than that. It's about loneliness and what loneliness can drive us to, misunderstandings, jealousy, feeling lost in ones life, and the differences between men and women. All of that in a short little book. I really found Martin insightful and I know I will be reading other work by him now.

It's Pain That Changes Our Lives- Martin

Hungry Woman in Paris- Lopez (Book #41)

I was super psyched to read this book about a woman in Paris searching for herself and what she wants. Canela leaves the US for Paris after breaking up with her fiancee and the tragic suicide of her beloved cousin. She attends cooking school and learns about herself and life. I thought this would be the perfect chick lit novel to get lost in but instead what I got was a poorly written novel with strange obscenity. But let's leave the obscenity to the side for a moment. As an aspiring writer the number one rule I hear is "SHOW don't TELL". This novel was all telling telling telling. There was very little expanding on any character other than Canela, the main character. Huge issues like her helping a woman escape an abusive relationship were explained in two pages with a paragraph summary of "she found a job and there were promises of more to come." I have heard that her screen play "Real Women Have Curves" was excellent and I still want to see it, but I think I'd leave the novel writing for another day.

For Writers Only- Burnham (Book #40)

This is a book for writers who need a bit of encouragement. Burnham has quotes on every page from different writers on the art of writing and she talks about different aspects of writing and provides some of her own personal reflections on the topics. Her writing is gentle and soft. I think the second half was better than the first half but this could be because the second half resonated more with me at where I'm at as a writer. The first half is about finding the proper space, finding time, etc. The second half is fear of rejection, re-writing, etc. Those apply to me more. It was a nice book, not a book to get real advice though, its along the lines of a "quotable quotes" book or "words of wisdom" gift books that help inspire you but won't take you past the gate. Good for what it is.

Portland Noir- (Book #39)

This is an anthology of dark short stories about characters residing in Portland. The Noir series take place in many cities and countries around the world. I picked this one up since I'd just come from Portland and wanted to get a flavor of the town through the eyes of certain writers. Some of the short stories are very good. My favorite was Virgo about a newspaper editor who messes with an ex by fixing her horoscope. My least favorite was by Luciana Lopez about a woman who lives in a house where a murder took place and she wants to know what happened. The stories vary in quality of writing and they are too heavily focused on stalkers told from a stalkers point of view. It got kind of old by the last story. Not a heavy thinking type of read, just okay.

What I talk about when I talk about running- Marukami (Book #38)

I read a portion of this book at the fabulous Powell's bookstore in Portland, OR and immediately checked it out from my local library. This is a book by a writer who became a marathon runner. The author is from Japan and this book is translated so I don't know if I can disparage the author's style of writing since its translated. The book is about running and how he prepares and how he thinks about running. It feels like you are reading a diary. I think runners may appreciate the story more than I did.

Waiting For Daisy- Orenstein (Book #37)

I have enjoyed Orenstein's other books and this book is no different. Its an honest and very easy to read memoir of her struggles to conceive. I very much enjoyed the read. She is a good writer.

He's Just Not That Into You- Behrendt (Bok #36)o

It may seem strange for me to read a book written for singles understanding men, but I had read a fiction book by the co-author Tuccillo and felt myself lost in a well written chick lit novel. Since I am of the variety who devours everything written by an author I love, I picked this book up too. This book is okay. I understood a lot of Tuccillos first novel by reading it, but the message is very simply for this book: If a guy acts vague, distracted or uninterested, or treats you bad, or cheats on you, or exhibits any other strange behaviors, he is just not that into you. That's it. The book is writte in a Q&A style with question after question with the same response: He's just not that into you.

I think there are important lessons for women to learn.... about how men's minds work but this is a black and white approach to a gray situation. Relationshps just aren't as simple as the author makes them. Still, I think a single woman would benefit from the main point: You are too fabulous to spend your days pining after someone who does not care.

Odes To Common Things- Neruda (Book #35)

When I saw the title I thought it would be a silly book of poems about objects. No, Neruda is a simple but inherently deep poet. His lyrics flow, and I loved that this book had the Spanish version. Though I could not fully understand the Spanish, I loved the beautiful words. I long to read it in Spanish because I know that is where the fullest beauty of his poetry resides. I enjoyed these poems very much. Some of them, I know I will someday know by heart.

Leaving Tangier- Jelloun (Book #34)

A very new book, I'm surprised this novel ranks so low on Amazon. I found this simply browsing a library and I'm glad I read it. This is a story about immigration and the desperation that can cause someone to want to leave their homeland. This novel written by a Moroccan and translated into English, revolves around the immigration desires of Moroccans to Spain. The story focuses primarily on Azel, an educated Moroccan who cannot find a job and is taken in to be the personal everything to a rich Spaniard Miguel. The story also delves into his sister's life, and a few others along the way. The author alternates chapters with each of their stories. This is a somber novel but it helps me understand how universal the plight of desperate people are. What I mean is, it helps me understand why people are willing to take the risks to become illegal immigrants. This is not just a US thing. It's beyond our borders. The story shows how dark such immigration can be.

A Princess Remembers- Devi (Book #33)

This book is the autobiography of a former Indian princess. The book chronicles her life and political trials as India went from being ruled by monarchs to a democratic system. I liked her cool descriptions of her palaces, and activities but there was little warmth. I just could not connect with her. Its interesting though as a historical insight into life in India once upon a time.

The Guide- Narayan (Book #32)

As a child I loved watching the Indian movie "Guide" with my family. The story is about a con-artist who ends up on the banks of an abandoned temple and is mistaken for a Swami. The story delves into his past and his present. I remember my parents saying it had very good dialogue. Anyways, browsing the library I came across this book and realized the movie I watched was based on this book. The book is a very easy read and is certainly well written, however, I feel as though I preferred the movie. A lot of the book focuses on Rosie, his lover, and her dancing. Narayan simply does not, or perhaps, cannot, fully describe the beauty of Indian classical dancing with his words. The dancing was my favorite part of the movie. So in this sense, though I loved the book because it reminded me of the movie I cannot help but wonder how much I would love the book without the movie. Certainly it is a profound book about self deception and human nature, but its merits as a book are different from its movie version.

South Beach Diet Guide (Book #31)- Agatston

I've done South Beach in the past and it does work though the effects do not always say, however I do not blame the diet for this because I typically do phase I with the rapid weight loss and ignore the other phases meant to ease you into incorporating fruits, sugars back into your daily life. This is a nice concise book letting you know what you can and cannot eat with South Beach. The internet just had so much conflicting information on phase I so if you know the basics of South Beach already and are just looking for a food guide and other basic information, this is a good book for you.

How To Be Single- Tuccillo (Book #30)

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I wanted a novel to lose myself into and browsing through the library with nary a review in hand I picked this book assuming it to be a fun chick lit with little meaning. It was fun and it was about women and it definitely had chick lit aspects, but it did not follow the standard formula. This is a novel about a writer traveling the world searching for how single women around the world fare. The story also follows the writer and her three friends who are single under difference circumstances as they struggle to find love. Tuccillo can WRITE. Her story is beautiful and though the ending is very unchick-lit it still satisfied me. I almost felt like this novel was part chick-lit and part non-fiction since a lot of things she talked about are in fact true. Loved this book.