Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

8/10 - Well written, interesting story about circus life in the 1930's. I liked it well enough. The story flowed nicely, and there wasn't any particularly slow parts, but I didn't feel very invested in the characters. It's not one of those books that will really stick with me. It was much more story driven, than character driven, and I usually prefer the latter. Good book just the same.

The Rock Orchard by Paula Wall

10/10 - What a riot! I loved these characters!! This book was just pure fun, and probably the sexiest book I've ever read. I usually try to avoid romance type novels, and I this is certainly not in the same category as Harlequin, but it has a romantic/sexual flare. The perfect book if you're in a rut.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

10/10 - Wow! What a truly interesting book, totally different from anything I've ever read. I love Niffenegger's perspective on the idea of time travel. It's so much more interesting than someone getting into a time machine and pushing some buttons with dates on them. Very original! What an extremely romantic story as well. Although it broke my heart. My only complaint about the book was the use of profanity. I don't have a problem with profanity in literature as long as it's befitting of the character using it. But it kills the mood when the heroine refers to her husbands genitalia as a "cock", or her own private parts as a "cunt". I've never in all my years (as an L&D nurse even) heard a woman refer to her vagina as a cunt. Ugh!! It hurts me to even type it!!

Sorry for the soapbox there! I truly did love the book, and I'm totally willing to overlook the language to recommend it to others. I just want to know why it's there. Anyway, read it!

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

7/10 - Well, I think I'm finally convinced. I'm just not a mystery/thriller reader. I've tried, but it's just not my thing. I really liked Dexter's character, but the plot left me cold (no pun intended), and the ending was pretty flimsy. Are the police in Miami really that bad? I'm sure it will make a lovely little mini-series.

A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel

8/10 - Fun, light read. I was expecting to relate to Zippy more, since we both grew up in very small, Midwest towns. But we had very different personalities, and upbringings. She certainly was a character growing up though! I thought the book was entertaining, and I was never bored. I just didn't identify like I thought I would.