The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

This book further confirmed my belief that I was not meant for the "classics". The only classic I've ever felt lived up to it's name was The Catcher in the Rye. I found this book tedious, and I didn't like most of the characters. I found them irritating. Sometimes it seems to me that authors try so hard to make their characters real that they end up even more cliche. The drunk, the black man, the ignored child, Yadda, Yadda. I'm not saying that all the characters have to be just like me, but I would prefer a few characters that would make at least pleasant company. Anyway, I didn't find it completely unredeeming. The author surely wrapped things up beautfully at the end, and wouldn't say I'm totally dissappointed I spent my time reading it. But it will be a long time before I try another "classic" that's for sure.

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik

Definitely will be a top read for this year. In fact, I immediately sent out an email to all my friends imploring them to read this book. Okay, so it's not pulitzer prize winning literature, but I wouldn't dare call it fluff either. Wonderful truly real feeling characters and adding to their appeal, they're all Mom's like me! I so wanted to be part of this group of friends. The perfect summer read!

Kid Cooperation by Elizabeth Pantley

The subtitle for this book was How to stop yelling, nagging, and pleading and get kids to cooperate. This book is a must have for any parent who has found themselves saying, "I mean it!" and getting no response. My Dad is an elementary principal (and an exceptional father) and I couldn't help feeling like he must have wrote this book. If everyone followed these principals, then society would be a much more peaceful place. Best parenting book I've read.

Plainsong by Kent Haruf

What a perfect name for a perfect book!! I simply fell in love with these characters. I never wanted the story to stop. I felt sad and left behind when it was over. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author. Please read this, it's just beautiful. You can't help but love the characters.

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb

Both my father and sister loved this book, and I loved She's Come Undone, so I had to read it. I'm glad I did, but man it was not an easy read. I like my books to have a sort of even balance between misery and joy. This book was about 95% misery and 5% joy. I really could have used a little more reward for all the heartache, but the characters definitely stay with you.