The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

8/10 - This is one of those books that make you realize how much times have changed. From women's roles in society to psychiatric treatment, this story covers a lot. I had a hard time feeling sympathetic towards the main character because she led such a pampered life (what did she have to be depressed about?). However, I don't think she really expects or wants the reader to be sympathetic, she's written so matter-of-fact. I thought Esther was very progressive for her time. I can't say this was an enjoyable read, but it was definitely thought provoking. You can't help but wonder how much of it was autobiographical.

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.

The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty

10/10 - This is the kind of book that inspires me to read. A perfect story about imperfect characters, real people. I loved Smithy! The story reminded me a lot of She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb, which is another one of my favorites. When I read the reviews, it seemed a lot of people had a hard time with the chronology. But I felt the book flowed really wonderfully. It was so warm too, you really got to know Smithy's family and care about them. This is another one I can't wait to loan out!

Watermelon by Marian Keyes

9/10 - Very fun, light read. A bit on the predictable side, but then again I like a bit of that now and then. Desperately wanting things to turn out a certain way, and then it actually happening. A novel idea. I really liked the main character and thought she was very believable. Great humorous banter the whole way through.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

9/10 - I was so happy to get back to this genre. Back in the day, all I used to read was Anne Rice novels ;-) This book had the added bonus of making me feel like a world traveler, or desperately wanting to be one. I found myself looking up Hagia Sophia and other sights from the book on the internet. I really enjoyed the author's writing style and the letter format was very effective in telling the story. The suspense was just enought to keep you moving through all 700 pages. And the historical perspective was very interesting, and sometimes horrorifying (please no more mention of babes being impaled while still at their mother's breast!). I would recommend it, although it definitely takes a patient reader. It's not a fast read, but meant to be lingered over.

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan

10/10 - I read a lot. And because people see me reading all the time, I get lent a lot of books. I'm always grateful that people want to share there favorite books with me, but sometimes I look at the book thinking "Oh boy, here we go again." That's kind of what I thought when Claudia lent me this book. It didn't really look like my kind of thing, although I don't think I could be specific about what my kind of thing is. However, I ended up reading this book in 3 days. I didn't want to put it down. It is so entertaining! Not to mention inspiring. I just love characters that you would just die to meet. Evelyn Ryan is one of those characters. I was overcome that one person could be so clever and infinitely optimistic. Just the thought of having 10 children alone makes me cringe (to be honest), but to also have to deal with poverty and alcoholism. I don't know how I'd manage. I don't know that I could. I raise my Shirley Temple to you, Evelyn! You were one class act.

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

6/10 - I think I'm missing the point of this book. I felt like the narrators were trying to tell me something and it either went over my head or there really was no point. We didn't really get to know any of the characters, and although there were some great plot twists, I feel like it really left me hanging. No pun intended.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

10/10 - I was blown away by this book. It was by no means an easy read, and sometimes not a pleasant one either. This book encompassed so many of the emotions and experiences of a soldier in the Vietnam war. What if feels like to be drafted. What it was like coming home. What it feels like to kill a man. The camaraderie, the horror, the death. Each story had a mood all it's own. A real tangible feeling to it. Can't wait to lend this out and see what other people think.

The Color of Water by James McBride

10/10 - This is one of those books that I think everyone should read. It's not preachy, it just lays down the facts and lets you draw you own conclusion. I loved the way the authors story and his mother's were interwoven so effortlessly. And it blows my mind that racists and bigots can co-exist in the same world as people like the McBride Jordan family.

The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman

7/10 - After perusing the first few pages of this book in B&N, I was anxious to read it. I enjoy books with a bit of supernatural flare. The beginning was great, the ending wonderful and heartfelt, but I could have easily done without the middle. The narrator (and main character) spends the majority of the book wallowing in self pity and flowery language. Her self destructive behavior is cliche and tedious, and her focus is always self centered. She has the personality of a 15 year old goth kid who thinks they're sooooooooo deep, but really have no clue about the real world. And believe me, I know, I was one. ;-)

Little Children by Tom Perrotta

9/10 - Being a 30 something parent, this book really spoke to me. I was blown away by how accurate Perrotta's portrayal of contemporary suburbia was. Although there were a few somewhat stereotypical characters in there, who cares!, we know there are always people who fit stereotypes to a tee. And no where is that more true than suburbia. I really identified with Sarah, and her constant struggle to fit in with the other mothers and neighbors. I only took off a point because the book sort of felt like it was written with the intention of being made into a movie. I thought this before I even found out it had been made into a movie. The chapters read a little too much like scenes, and the dialog like lines. Overall, a really enjoyable read. I would highly recommend it. Hope you like it Michou!

Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross

9/10 - Now here's a female character I like! Strong, intelligent, not afraid to fight for what she believes. She ascends to the throne of St. Peter and becomes Pope as a highly educated and talented physician (albeit disguised as a man) and she does it in 800 A.D.! I'm not usually a big historical fiction buff, but I was surprised how well the author kept the story moving by interjecting a romantic subplot and a good dose of action and dispicable villains. I can't elaborate on why I only gave it 9 stars, because that would ruin it for those who haven't read it yet. Now if we only knew if it was a fictional story based on a real person or a myth.

Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

7/10 - This is another one of those books that would make an excellent book for discussion, but that I didn't really love. While learning about the history of women in China was fascinating and I found myself searching for pictures of "Golden lilies" on the internet, it gets depressing hearing over and over how very little they thought of women. I guess I can read a book where women are treated appallingly, if I feel the characters work to improve their situation or the fate of women in their culture. But I felt the main character, Lily, did more to perpetuate the poor treatment of women, especially by their own gender, than she did to improve it. I also heard what a great book about women's friendships this was, but I didn't really feel that in this book. And I found the sexual overtones distracting and odd. I wouldn't discourage someone from reading it, but I probably won't be handing it out to all my friends either. Except, I think Denise would find it interesting.

Patty Jane's House of Curl by Lorna Landvik

10/10 - Okay, I'm a sap, and Lorna Landvik caters to my every sappy whim. She is one of those writers that is so comfortable for me. I love her characters and writing style. Sure it's chick lit, but who cares if it brings you pleasure. Not every book has to be an intellectual odyssey right? All right, all right, I'm off to broaden my horizons now. Thanks Claudia for lending it to me.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

8/10 - An exceptional memoir, but a difficult read. I've come to realize that so many things change when you become a parent. I'm no longer able to watch the horror flicks I loved as a child, and I would just as soon not know anything about what's going on in the world. Ignorance really is bliss for me. I guess that's what ruined this book for me. It is truely an exceptional read, honest, heartbreaking, powerful, amazing. Yet I could not get past the GOD AWFUL parents. I know you where supposed to come to appreciate them for who they were, but I just couldn't. You shouldn't be a parent if you can't put your kids before yourself. That's just basic. But these people didn't even have them as high as 3 or 4 on their list of priorities. It made me sick, and I wanted to throttle them. The fact that 3 out of their 4 children turned out to be normal healthy functional adults is pure miracle. I highly recommend you read it if you think that's something you can get past.

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?

The Monk Downstairs by Tim Farrington

Well, I've been staring at the computer screen for about 5 minutes now trying to figure out what to write about this book. All I can come up with is, It was okay. I liked the relationships, I liked the characters, but the story line just didn't blow me away. Contrary to first impressions gleened from the title, the characters were very real and down to earth. A so-so read.

Naked by David Sedaris

Very funny in parts, although I did find David slightly pretentious and hard to believe. I'm not big on the short story format, and wished for some sort of chronology. But then again some parts were so funny I forgot I cared. There were lots of interesting characters. I liked the parts about his childhood the best, especially the lightswitch licking.

Top 5 of 2006

Here's my favorite reads of 2006!

1. Eventide by Kent Haruf. I loved Plainsong and was amazed to find I liked the follow-up even more!
2. Boy's Life by Robert McCammon. The most imaginative book I've read since childhood. Thanks for the recommendation Dad!
3. These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner. Never thought I'd like historical fiction until I read this book. Sarah is one of the best heroines I've ever read.
4. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. A fascinating, and sometimes difficult read.
5. I couldn't decide between The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. Mitch had me crying and Mark had me laughing!

Boy's Life by Robert McCammon

Wow! Loved it! This is the perfect kind of book for me. It's like a great children's fiction book written for adults. I'm so jealous of Robert McCammon, because he seems to have never lost that awesomely powerful child's imagination. I can remember the day I realized I didn't have it anymore, and how sad it made me feel. This book makes you remember exactly what that was like. It was extremely entertaining the whole way through. I can see why it's one of my Dad's favorites, because he is also a kid at heart.

The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore

Freaking Hi-larious!! I really loved it. I love the way he writes. Here's one of my favorite lines. Noone knows why, but second only to eating the brains of the living, the dead love affordable pre-fab furniture. And he narrates everyone, including a dog, a fruit bat named Roberto, and one of the character's crazy in your head kind of voices. If you need a holiday pick-me-up, this is it.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Was she really wicked? What is evil anyway? These were the questions this book attempted to answer by delving into the Witch's childhood and the politics of Oz itself. I thought it was just so-so. Many parts were interesting, and many went into excrutiating detail. I would have liked it more concise. There were lots of interesting characters, and you'll never be able to look at the Wizard of Oz the same again. It was a good book to follow The Memory Keeper's Daughter. I needed something "out of this world" so to speak.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

I read a lot of wonderful reviews about this book, but I just didn't see what they were seeing I guess. I found most of the main characters unlikable, which made it difficult for me to have the emotional connection that was needed to really enjoy this book. The main character David especially. I found him to be a self-righteous, patronizing, son of a bitch. Pardon the french! I guess if the intended purpose of the book was to make me outraged then it succeeded. On the otherhand, it was a well written book, and would make an excellent book for discussion.

These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

5 stars!! Let me preface this by saying, I didn't expect to like this book. I don't generally like historical fiction, but this book came highly recommended and was chosen for an online book club I joined, so I thought I would give it a shot. The book is based on one of the author's ancestors who lived on the frontier in Arizona during the end of the 1800's. It is written as her diary. The narrator is one of the best heroine's I've ever read. I could not put this book down. It starts out pretty brutal, but that only serves to make you truly become involved in the characters. I really loved this book, and I plan to read the next one that continues the story, Sarah's Quilt. I balled like a big, fat baby at the end, even though it was somewhat predictable.

Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner

Nice, fun, and quick read. It's the story of four women all having children at the same time that meet at prenatal yoga and become friends. I would put this in the category of fluff book. Nothing that's incredibly thought provoking or deep, but you know it must be an entertaining read if I was able to finish the 550 page book in 5 days. One interesting point though, this was the first book I think I've ever read that is set in my time with characters that are my age and doing the same things I'm doing. It was kind of surreal. They read the same books to their kids as I read to Elise, the same music, shopped at the same stores, etc. The only part of the book that bugged me was how the character Becky, who is supposed to be this very self-confident, sassy sort of person, constantly allowed her mother in law to walk all over her. I just didn't buy it. I'd definitely read another Jennifer Weiner though.

The World According to Garp by John Irving

I hesitate to say I liked this book. I do think I liked it, but I've come to realize that I am a terrible sucker for a happy ending. I just feel so incomplete without the dessert after the main course. I really like John Irving's writing style, but when I get so involved in characters and then you kill them off all the time, I find it hard to come away from the experience feeling satisfied. I realize that this is personal preference thing, and I don't want to say that I enjoy the book. There were parts I enjoyed immensely. I loved the term the "Under Toad" because this is just the sort of term my husband and I would pick up from our daughter and use for eternity. It's just not my kind of book, but it's good to get out of your comfort zone every now and then. Now I'm off to read something really sweet and sappy!!

Body of Evidence by Patricia Cornwell

This book was loaned to me by Colleen, a co-worker. It would probably make a good plane or vacation book. It was enjoyable, just not the kind of book I'm into. I'm not usually a big mystery reader. I especially don't like courtroom drama. This book avoided the courtroom, and focused on the forensic aspect of crime solving. Still, I'd rather just watch Law and Order.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Phenomenal book!! It was fascinating and laugh out loud funny in some places. It is written from the perspective of an 15 year old autistic boy named Christopher. In the beginning, he is blamed for killing a neighbors dog, and then decides to do some "detecting" and find the real killer. I'm just astounded at how convincingly the author wrote as an autistic person. The way Christopher sees things is so concrete. He doesn't understand facial expressions, body language, or anything subjective like that, yet he is exceptionally intelligent. Really great character development. I loved the whole thing.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

A very enjoyable book. Probably wouldn't be in the top ten, but very good nonetheless. I think my main problem was that I liked all of the other characters better than the main character. If I had liked her more, it would have been a list topper for sure. The story is really beautiful though.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Ugh. Did not like this book. Although somehow it escaped my 100 page rule. The beginning was very interesting. The way the character explored his own spirituality by participating in three different faiths. I also liked hearing about growing up in India. From then on it's 15 chapters of fish killing and tiger maintenance, then a couple chapters of "What the hell?", and then it wraps up with confusion and dissappointment. Pissed I didn't quit in the fish killing stage.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

I had to wait a while for all the hype to die down, before I could read this book. I hate reading books when there's a lot of hype surrounding them. Now that I've read it, I'm confused about all the controversy. I don't think Dan Brown was trying to challenge our religious convictions with this book. I think he was just trying to write some interesting fiction, which he succeeded at. Sure parts of the book made me want to look pictures up on the internet for comparison, but never was I thinking "Gasp! He's uncovered the conspiracy of the ages!!" I enjoyed it. Not a top tenner, but a fun, quick easy read.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

I aboslutely loved this book. I would loan it to anyone. It was amazing. I read it in 3 days. I cried at the end. I really expected it to be somewhat predictable. It was not. This one will for sure make the top five of 2006. Took my breath away.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Siebold

Kind of bummed about this one. It really had the makings of something great, but kind of tanked at the end. I really needed her to wrap this up with a nice little bow, and the story just kind of ended. I realize some authors do this intentionally to keep you thinking, but this felt more like she just ran out of steam or something. I really liked how this book depicted family life and how people deal with grief. I was just really hoping for a killer ending, no pun intended.

Oh My Stars! by Lorna Landvik

I loved Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons so much that I had to read another Landvik book. I didn't like it quite as well, but I think I just identified more with the characters in AHEBB more. I still really love her story telling style and her characters. It was a very good book nonetheless.

Once Upon a Day by Lisa Tucker

I'm not really sure what to write about this book. I really enjoyed it. Good storytelling, interesting characters. It was just missing something, and I can't put my finger on what. Still, I would recommend it.

Eventide by Kent Haruf

I just had to read this book because I simply LOVED the first novel Plainsong. And as unbelievable as it was to me, I think I liked this one even better. Kent singled out 3 of my absolute favorite characters and continued their story. What a wonderful story it was. I am so in love with his characters. I find myself wanting to call them up on the phone just to see how they are doing. Incredibly touching. I wish all my reading experiences were like this.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

I really enjoyed this book on so many levels. It had everything friendship, love, family, oppression, heroism, faith. I feel like I really got to know Afghanistan too. Not like some authors do, describing the terrain, the weather, but what it was really like to live there. My only complaint was with the ending. I can't really say why though, don't want to ruin it.

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.