REVIEW - NOW YOU SEE HIM

This book has been on my shelves for a long time. I finally got around to reading it. I really liked this book. It's also a first time author for me. I'll be reading this author again, I really liked the style of his writing. You can see my full review at my place, Just Books.

REVIEW - THE RECKONING

Number 67 of 100 done. This book was a little disappointing.

This 3rd book in the Darkest Powers series returns you to the safe house where Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori are hiding from the Edison Group. The pace was fast, and the plot's twists left me guessing who to trust and very surprised when the answers were revealed. This book did not provide the ending to the trilogy that I had wanted. It left me with lots of questions and no answers. But the romance between Chloe and Derek was answered. Do Chloe, Derek, Simon and Tori get away and into safe hands? You'll have to read the book to find out.

REVIEW - NOTES FROM A SMALL ISLAND

This is book 65 of 100.

"Notes From A Small Island" by Bill Bryson
Product Description
After nearly two decades spent on British soil, Bill Bryson-bestsellingauthor of The Mother Tongue and Made in America-decided to returnto the United States. ("I had recently read," Bryson writes, "that 3.7 million Americans believed that they had been abducted by aliens at one time or another,so it was clear that my people needed me.") But before departing, he set out ona grand farewell tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home.
Veering from the ludicrous to the endearing and back again, Notes from a Small Island is a delightfully irreverent jaunt around the unparalleled floating nation that has produced zebra crossings, Shakespeare, Twiggie Winkie's Farm, and places with names like Farleigh Wallop and Titsey. The result is an uproarious social commentary that conveys the true glory of Britain, from the satiric pen of an unapologetic Anglophile.
Paperback: 324 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (May 1, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0380727501
ISBN-13: 978-0380727506

MY THOUGHTS: This was a very interesting book. The author takes you on a walking trip around England, some places you've heard of and are very famous, and some places you've never heard of. All along giving you his version of what it's like traveling and trying to find good places to sleep and eat. I really liked this book, it was funny at times and kind of sad at times. But really an enjoyable book to read.

REVIEW - THE UNDOMESTIC GODDESS

"The Undomestic Goddess" by Sophie Kinsella
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Workaholic attorney Samantha Sweeting has just done the unthinkable. She’s made a mistake so huge, it’ll wreck any chance of a partnership. Going into utter meltdown, she walks out of her London office, gets on a train, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Asking for directions at a big, beautiful house, she’s mistaken for an interviewee and finds herself being offered a job as housekeeper. Her employers have no idea they’ve hired a lawyer—and Samantha has no idea how to work the oven. She can’t sew on a button, bake a potato, or get the #@%# ironing board to open. How she takes a deep breath and begins to cope—and finds love—is a story as delicious as the bread she learns to bake. But will her old life ever catch up with her? And if it does…will she want it back?
Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Dell (October 30, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 044024238X
ISBN-13: 978-0440242383

MY THOUGHTS: This is the first book from this author that I've read. I liked a review I read somewhere and thought I would try it out. It wasn't exactly what I thought it was. I have to admit I skipped through chapters. This book is kind of not realistic. It leads you to believe that Samantha became a great chief in a very short time. It fell apart at the end. I didn't particularly like the characters in this book. It was readable and that's all I can say about it.

My full review is at Just Books.

REVIEW - CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS - Judi Barrett

I've been wanting to read this book for ages. I read a review somewhere and it sounded so cute. Grandpa, a dog and pancakes starts all this. Grandpa is fixing pancakes and the dog comes running through the room, upsetting Grandpa. The pancake fly's through the air and lands on his head. Later that night, at bedtime, Grandpa tells them a tall tale about Chewandswallow. It doesn't rain or snow, it comes down as food. But one day the weather gets really strange and starts sending enormous amounts of food and the food is larger. All the people make a boat out of the peanut butter sandwiches and sail away to another town.
This book has some wonderful drawings done by Ron Barriett. Children would love this book as it's full of imagination. If you have children you should read this book to them. It wonderful!

My full review at Just Books.

REVIEW - THE READER

"The Reader" by Bernhard Schlink

I was hooked from the beginning of this book. I wanted to find out what happened to Michael and Hanna. Did they stay together? Or was it a doomed romance? It was a short romance for Michael. One day Hanna just disappeared. He kept thinking of her even into college. Then one day while in court as a law student he sees Hanna. She is on trial for murder during the war. But as Michael sits through the court trial he discovers something about Hanna. Should he tell the judge? He is torn by what he knows. He goes to discuss it with his father. But that doesn't help. Does he tell anyone? What happens to Hanna? You'll have to read the book to find out.

You can see my full review at Just Books.

REVIEW

"Back Roads" by Tawni O' Dell
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Meet Harley Altmyer. His mother's in prison for his father's murder. At nineteen, he's raising his three younger sisters-and he's just developed an obsessive crush on the sexy, melancholic mother of two, living just down the road...
Paperback: 343 pages
Publisher: Unknown (May 31, 2004)
ISBN-10: 1615540849
ISBN-13: 978-1615540846

MY THOUGHTS: I really liked reading this book. But it ended totally different than what I was expecting. Actually the ending was a shocker. But I can't tell about that, it would ruin the surprise. You can read my full review at my book blog, Just Books.

BOOK REVIEW

MY THOUGHTS: What do you do with all your broken things? Throw them away? Do you ever wonder what happens to them? Beware, they may go somewhere else and become a city. This what Un Lun Dun is all about. Imagination, at it's best. Umbrella's are Unbrella's. Milk cartons are pets. Old cars, windows and just about anything you can think of can become something. Where does this happen? In UnLondon of course. And UnLondon is being talked by Smog Monster. There is only one person or maybe two who can save UnLondon. Zanna and Deeba find out what's going on in UnLondon but there are people there who doesn't want Zanna and Deeba there. They send Zanna and Deeba back to London. Zanna's memory of UnLondon is wiped clean but Deeba still remembers and she finds her way back to UnLondon to help. They have to find the UnGun to help the city. They have to get it away from WebMinister Abby and the WebWindows. They then have to figure out how it works. Does Debba save the city? Who'll have to read the book to find out. Really great book. Full of all kinds of adventure and imagination. You can see my full review at my place, Just Books.

REVIEW - THE AWAKENING

MY THOUGHTS: This is book 2 of the Darkest Powers series. Chole, David, Simon and Angelica are running for their lives. They live in alleys, abandoned buildings, and anywhere they can find to stay away from Dr. Davidoff, The Edison Group. They want to bring them back to the lab. They have all ready exterminated 2 of their friends with super powers and they don't want to be next. You can see my full review at Just Books.

REVIEW - TWO OLD WOMEN

"Two Old Women" by Velma Wallis



This is another book that has been on list to read for ages. This is a really good book. The writer takes you deep into the heart of Alaska during the bitter cold of Winter. These two women must survive somehow or die. I really liked the characters, Ch'idzigyakk, meaning Chickadee bird, and Sa' meaning Star. They are very determined to live what has happened to them. You can feel the worry, hunger and tiredness that these women go through. I was rooting for them the whole time I read the book. I wanted them to survive. They had to go back to a time when they were young and remember how to survive. Gathering wood, keeping a fire going, and trapping animals for food. They also had to travel a long way until they found the place where the fish was plentiful. Did they survive? What happened to the people that turned them out? You will have to read the book to find out. If you have a chance to read this book, please do. You won't be disappointed. You can see my complete review at Just Books.

REVIEW - TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY

MY THOUGHTS: I have been trying to get this book from the library for the longest time. Every time I went to get it, it was out. So I finally put it on hold. I started this book yesterday afternoon and finished it this afternoon. It is a very good book and keeps you locked on to what the author is writing. You want to find out why Clay is on the list of 13 people. Did he do something to Hannah? You also want to find out what the 13 reasons are for Hannah to take her own life. This is a very moving book. While I was reading this book I was so hoping that it was a mistake and someone helped Hannah. And the interesting thing is that while Clay was listening to the tapes he recognized all the signs of suicide. But by then it was too late. This book also made me very angry at all the people that added to the reasons for Hannah's suicide. The consequences of what they did took a life. If you haven't read this book, please do. It's very well written and moves along very fast. I highly recommend this book.

You can see my full review at my place, Just Books.

REVIEW - THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN

The Christmas Train - David Baldacci



MY THOUGHTS: This book has been on my TBR list for ages. I'm glad I finally read it. Wonderful book filled with mystery, love, romance, and lots of stories being told by everyone on the train. There is a thief on board who isn't who everyone thinks he is. A masquerading police officer, I didn't see this one coming. And a really big surprise ending that I totally didn't see coming. If you haven't read this book, you really need to. It's written beautifully and will keep you glued to the chair so you can finish it.

JUNE BUG

Fill in the Gaps Project

"June Bug" by Chris Fabry
Product Description(Amazon.com)
June Bug believed everything her daddy told her. That is, until she walked into Wal-Mart and saw her face on a list of missing children. The discovery begins a quest for the truth about her father, the mother he rarely speaks about, and ultimately herself. A modern interpretation of Les Miserables, the story follows a dilapidated RV rambling cross-country with June Bug and her father, a man running from a haunted past. Forces beyond their control draw them back to Dogwood, West Virginia, down a winding path that will change their lives forever.
# Paperback: 336 pages
# Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (July 9, 2009)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1414319568
# ISBN-13: 978-1414319568

MY THOUGHTS: This was a very good book. I loved all the characters. Following June Bugs story to find herself was very enjoyable. As June Bug hunts for all the info she can find, she is also searching for her roots. Where did she come from? Who is her mother? Does she have brothers and sisters?

CONFEDERATES IN THE ATTIC - Review

"Confederates in the Attic" by Tony Horwitz



This book has been on my list of TBR books for ages. I love reading about history, especially the Civil War. I don't really know what the fascination is with the period, but I've always loved reading about it since I was a young girl. Mr. Horwitz did a remarkable job with this book. I found out lots of things I didn't know and lots of things I did know, but needed a refresher on it. Many people think the Civil War was about Slavery. It wasn't. It was about states rights. As Horwitz takes you through the south and you hear what everyone there thinks about the Civil War and some keep it alive and some don't care one way or the other. But some take it to extreme. If you like to read about the Civil War you should really read this book. I highly recommend it. You can see my full review at my book blog, Just Books.

REVIEW - MARLEY & ME

MY THOUGHTS: I went into this book knowing full well what was going to happen. But I really enjoyed reading about the Grogan family and all their misadventures with Marley. How could you not love him. He enjoyed life to the fullest, a bit energetic, true, but happy most of the time. I think my favorite "Marley" story is him getting kicked out of Obedience school. And then going back and trying it again and getting is degree and eating it! Whatever you say about Marley he truly loved his family and they loved him very deeply even with all his so called "problems". Now on to the movie. Which I'm sure I'll need some tissues to see this one. You can see my full review at my place, Just Books.

REVIEW - A VIRTUOUS WOMAN

"A Virtuous Woman" by Kaye Gibbons



I like the way this book is written. Each person, Jack and Ruby, are telling the story. You get different views of each of their lives. How they meet, their life together, and Ruby's illness. You see Ruby has Cancer. So they are telling the story of her life. I would really recommend this book, it's really easy to read. I got hooked as soon as I started reading it. Couldn't put it down. My full review is posted at my place, Just Books.

REVIEW - THE SUMMONING

"The Summoning" by Kelley Armstrong



MY THOUGHTS: This is a new author for me. I read about this book at someone's blog and it sounded really good, so I put it on my TBR list. It is really a good book. It's also a series of books. The Awakening, The Reckoning, The Gathering(2011) are the ones in the series. The Gathering is due out in 2011. Chloe starts seeing strange things and freaks out in school. They sent her to a house for disturbed teens. But something isn't right. Chloe finds out about all the different kids there and their "special" powers. Then all hell breaks loose. Chloe, Rae, Derek, and Simmon are on the run. And do they get caught? Does Chloe find her "special" power and how to use it? You'll have to read the book to find out the answers to these questions. You can view my full review at my place, Just Books.

REVIEW - THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

"The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson
Product Description(Amazon.com)
An international publishing sensation, Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo combines murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue into one satisfyingly complex and entertainingly atmospheric novel.

Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.
# Paperback: 600 pages
# Publisher: Vintage Crime / Black Lizard (June 23, 2009)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0307454541
# ISBN-13: 978-0307454546

MY THOUGHTS: This is my book clubs pick for November. It has also been on my TBR list for ages. So when the chit chat at book club came around to this book, I jumped on it. I must say I was a little disappointed when I started reading the book. It's really slow and filled with so much info I got lost at first. Then finally it got going. What was confusing was all the info about Wennerstrom. But I really enjoyed the book. It is written with every detail that could possibly have to do with the story line plus more. Now I've got to read the other 2 books in this series. They will go on my TBR list. The Girl Who Played With Fire - Stieg Larsson and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN

"The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Plot Eddie is a wounded war veteran, an old man who has lived, in his mind, an uninspired life. His job is fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. On his 83rd birthday, a tragic accident kills him, as he tries to save a little girl from a falling cart. He awakes in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a destination. It's a place where your life is explained to you by five people, some of whom you knew, others who may have been strangers. One by one, from childhood to soldier to old age, Eddie's five people revisit their connections to him on earth, illuminating the mysteries of his "meaningless" life, and revealing the haunting secret behind the eternal question: "Why was I here?"
# Hardcover: 198 pages
# Publisher: Hyperion; 1 edition (September 23, 2003)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1920798218
# ISBN-13: 978-1920798215

MY THOUGHTS: I have had this book on my TBR list for ages. I went to the library to return some books and forgot to take my list with me. I was trying to think of some of the books I wanted to read. And I could only think of one, this one. I'm so glad I got it. Wonderful book! Beautifully written by Mr. Albom. If you believe in heaven or if you don't, this book will make you believe. I didn't want it to end. If you haven't read this book, please do, it's wonderful.

REVIEW - HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY

"Her Fearful Symmetry" by Audrey Niffenegger
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Julia and Valentina Poole are twenty-year-old sisters with an intense attachment to each other. One morning the mailman delivers a thick envelope to their house in the suburbs of Chicago. Their English aunt Elspeth Noblin has died of cancer and left them her London apartment. There are two conditions for this inheritance: that they live in the flat for a year before they sell it and that their parents not enter it. Julia and Valentina are twins. So were the girls’ aunt Elspeth and their mother, Edie.
The girls move to Elspeth’s flat, which borders the vast Highgate Cemetery, where Christina Rossetti, George Eliot, Stella Gibbons, and other luminaries are buried. Julia and Valentina become involved with their living neighbors: Martin, a composer of crossword puzzles who suffers from crippling OCD, and Robert, Elspeth’s elusive lover, a scholar of the cemetery. They also discover that much is still alive in Highgate, including—perhaps—their aunt.
# Paperback: 406 pages
# Publisher: Scribner; Reprint edition (September 29, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1439169012
# ISBN-13: 978-1439169018

MY THOUGHTS: This is my book clubs choice for September. I have wanted to read this book and I'm really glad I did. It was a very good book. I really liked all the characters. I really liked Martin a lot. I could feel for him. Does he get to leave his apartment? Does Robert get his Thesis done on Highgate Cemetery? As Julia and Valentina move to London they seem to grow apart. Valentina wants to be separate from Julia. With the help of their Aunt Elspeth's ghost they think of something that seems so impossible. But does it work? Will Valentina get her wish and be separate from Julia? You'll have to read the book to find out the outcome of this very interesting book.