The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Zafon

10/10 - What a ride! This book took me a really long time to read (comparitively), but it was more like savoring a fine wine than anything. The perfect book if you're looking to escape. You can really get immersed in the story and Barcelona. It was a great mystery and romance that really kept you guessing until the very end.

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

9/10 - Roach is an extremely talented writer. You'd have to be to be able to write about the topic of human cadavers with such tasteful but excessively witty humor. I was simultaneously laughing myself silly and suppressing a gag, which is saying a lot for someone who deals with all matter of bodily fluid on a regular basis. Although this book is a fascinating read, it is not for the weak of stomach. She covers all topics from the basic anatomy class dissection to cadavers used to verify the Shroud of Turin's authenticity. Body snatching to medicinal cannabilism. This book was extremely well thought out and researched. It also succeeded in not only being entertaining and informing, but it caused me to genuinely contemplate what I would like done with my remains. I'd reccommend it to anyone who dares.

Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors

8/10 - If you looking for a little romance, but don't want one of those cheesy romance novels, than this is the book for you. The book is set in 17th century Hindustan where the emperor overcome by grief over the loss of his beloved wife commissions the building of the Taj Mahal in her honor. His daughter, Princess Jahanara, begins her own love story during it's construction. This is a fairy tale made for adults complete with Princesses locked in towers, villains, and heroes on horseback. The only thing that kept me from giving the full 10 rating was the intermingled chapters regarding the warfare and political happenings of the area. I realize that some of this was necessary to tell the story properly, but I felt that many of these chapters were too long and felt more like interuptions than part of the plot line. Still a wondrous read.

Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson

10/10 - What a delightful book! I don't think I've ever read a book that flowed so well and had me guessing to the very end. There was no slow spot, no part I thought the author could have left out. Who thought a murder mystery could feel so warm? It had it all; great characters, wonderful plot, and that ending that makes you go "ahhhhhh..." I would highly recommend it.

Why Girls Are Weird by Pamela Ribon

8/10 - Funny and entertaining. Can I say how glad I am NOT to be single? Reading about all her dating drama just made me cringe!! Not that married life and motherhood are without their own set of quirks, but my self esteem just doesn't hold up very well when it comes to all that "he loves me, he loves me not" drama. I think there's something about Anna K that just about every girl could relate too. And the parts about her weblog and associated issues was very believable. My favorite character by far was Anna's gay friend, Dale. I want him to be my friend!

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

10/10 ~ I was hesitant to read this book, because I had heard so many great things about the Poisonwood Bible and only managed to get through 6 chapters of that. However, my fellow Fiction Lovers (see links) assured me that this was still worth a try. Wow was it ever! I read the last two chapters with tears streaming down my face. It made me realize why reading is so much better than watching TV. How can you understand the emotions of a character by watching them on a two dimensional screen, never knowing how they're really feeling inside. Taylor was all tom boy tough on the outside, but insecure and shy on the inside. Plus I think being a mother myself, really pushed the tears over the edge. This will be a tough act to follow, and definitely deserving of the 10 out of 10 rating.

Rating System for 2007

I've decided to initiate a rating system this year. I'm loosely basing it on the pain scale I use with patients in the hospital. I started this pain scale because I got tired of people looking me in the eyes with a smile on their face and telling me they'd rate their pain a 10 out of 10. So I came up with this. "0 is no pain. 10 is me sawing off your arm with a rusty knife and no anesthesia." This managed to bring those 10's down to a 9, not much of an improvement. My book rating scale will be something like that, except in reverse.

0 - Gag me with a missile.
1 - I'd read it again...if you had a gun to my head.
2 - About as enjoyable as cleaning up cat puke.
3 - My 3 year old tells better stories than this in her sleep.
4 - If I had to read it for school, I might finish it.
5 - It would pass the time if you were stuck somewhere with no TV or internet access.
6 - I read it. It was okay.
7 - Entertaining, but doesn't blow you out of the water.
8- I would happily loan it to a friend.
9 - Better than sex AND chocolate.
10 - Are those choirs of angels I hear?