The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani

10/10 - Best book I've read this year! Excellent mix of cultural history and story telling. I'm just fascinated by the middle east, and I loved the learning about the art of rug making. I found it interesting that I never realized that the author never told you the main characters name until I was looking over an interview in the back of the book. If you liked Beneath a Marble Sky, then I think you would really like this one.

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

7/10 - I know my knowledge of the classics is lacking, but this book made it even more obvious. Still, the managed to be fast moving and entertaining, if not extremely bizarre. I'm sure if you were a big Dickens and Bronte fan you would be head over heels in love with it. I'm just not sure if it's my kind of thing. I do feel more compelled to read Jane Eyre now.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

7/10 - About half way through this book, I was ready to shoot myself. It was so ungodly depressing, and although the ending is so satisfying that its worth dragging yourself back from the brink of suicide, I find it hard to give the book the rave reviews everyone else did. I was not a pleasure to read, it was agony. It is however extremely well written, and the voice of the narrator, Enzo the dog, is very unique. Just make sure there are no firearms, sharp poiny things, or potent medicinals about when you read it.

Looking For Alaska by John Green

8/10 - At the risk of sounding pompous, I'd say this is a very realistic portrayal of teenage relationships. The pompous part coming from the fact that I do realize I am no longer a teenager. Honestly, it doesn't feel like it was that long ago. Great characters, and it doesn't overdo the teenage angst part, which many other have a tendency to do.

B-mother by Maureen O'Brien

9/10 - A really well-written book about adoption. This is a topic I'm always interested in, because I'm a labor and delivery nurse. I really thought she did a wonderful job of character development which is important to me. My only gripe was the relatively anticlimatic ending. Overall, a really good read that I finished in two days. I was always looking forward to reading more.

Lost on Planet China by J. Maarten Troost

9/10 - Troost has just a great sense of humor. This is the second book I've read by him, and I find myself laughing out loud and trying to find someone to read a passage. Lost on Planet China is a travelogue sort of book, but unlike most travelogues, it's not going to make you want to travel to China. While his assessment is not entirely negative, it's not going to inspire you to visit. So if you have a soft spot for China, or are a travel snob, this is not the book for you. But I love his totally un-PC approach.