33

The number 33 is a very signifigant number right now. It's not my age, though I secretly wish it was. You see, there's this blogger who loves to read and write and one day she mentioned how many books she had read in a single year and I was blown away by the number. Absolutely, totally, and completely blown away! So, I decided to keep track myself and see just how many books I could read this year. First, it required a $50 library card because I couldn't afford to buy that many books. And secondly, it required me to do something I just haven't fully appreciated the last few years when I didn't have a library card - READ!

The number 33 is the number of books I read this year. For me, it is a REALLY impressive number! Granted, one of those 33 books I'm still working on and it is my goal to finish it before the new year (I've renewed it four times, the library is probably beginning to think I'm never returning it).

It's been FUN! I've read a lot of really good books I never knew existed and listened to a handful on CD and my MP3 player. It's been a great way to pass the time this past year, and I hope this year, I can read just as many.

Book #29

SAVING KRISTEN

BY: Jack Weyland

I was in for some light and cheesy, I mean, easy reading this time around, and I sure did find it with Jack Weyland. I am a longtime Jack Weyland fan, but this far from being one of his best, I think.

When Kristen Boone leaves Ashton, Idaho, to attend school at UCLA, she plans to pursue a career in theater and dance. But her plans are derailed when she meets Chad Nieteri, a wealthy, carefree, California boy who is intrigued by Kristen's wholesome Mormon values and begins dating her. What Kristen doesn't know is that Chad is also the leader of a gang of young men who support their extravagant lifestyles by impersonating police officers and stealing from illegal drug manufactures and dealers. When Kristen learns the truth about Chad and his friends, Chad sets out to silence her!

Book #28

The book of lost things

by John Connolly

I wish I was a better writer, so I could give a better review of these books I've been reading, and or listening to, such as this one.

Instead, I rely on other sources, like good reads, to give you the premise of the book:

New York Times bestselling author John Connolly's unique imagination takes readers through the end of innocence into adulthood and beyond in this dark and triumphantly creative novel of grief and loss, loyalty and love, and the redemptive power of stories.
High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mourns the death of his mother. He is angry and alone, with only the books on his shelf for company. But those books have begun to whisper to him in the darkness, and as he takes refuge in his imagination, he finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. While his family falls apart around him, David is violently propelled into a land that is a strange reflection of his own world, populated by heroes and monsters, and ruled over by a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysterious book... The Book of Lost Things.

An imaginative tribute to the journey we must all make through the loss of innocence into adulthood, John Connolly's latest novel is a book for every adult who can recall the moment when childhood began to fade, and for every adult about to face that moment. The Book of Lost Things is a story of hope for all who have lost, and for all who have yet to lose. It is an exhilarating tale that reminds us of the enduring power of stories in our lives.

This was SUCH an entertaining book. Intense, scary, humorous, dramatic, all rolled up into one. My kids listened to a few minutes of the most intense part of the book driving home in the car after school one day. The girls thought it was terrifying, and the boy quite enjoyed it and is curious to know what else happens. While this is classified as a young adult book, it's more, to me, an adult book, that perhaps young adults might enjoy as it isn't your everyday fairytale.

Book #27

THE GOD OF ANIMALS
BY: Aryn Kyle

Recently, I discovered the neatest thing since sliced bread. My library has access to a place called netlibrary. It's a place you can download books. You only get the license to actually listen to them for a few weeks, so it's just like checking it out from the library. While they don't have tons of books to choose from, they have way more than my local library. The first book I picked to listen to was The God of Animals.

Aryn Kyle's haunting coming-of-age novel is the kind of book that you want to share with everyone you know. Twelve-year-old Alice Winston is growing up fast on her father's run-down horse ranch--coping with the death of a classmate and the absence of her older sister (who ran off with a rodeo cowboy), trying to understand her depressed and bedridden mother, and attempting to earn the love and admiration of her reticent, weary father. Lyrical, powerful, and unforgettable, The God of Animals is our must-read, must-own, must-share book for March. --Daphne Durham, The Significant Seven Spotlight Title, March 2007

I loved it, despite the sometimes overuse of the "F" word!!!

I especially loved the fact that I can't sit still and listen to these books on my mp3 player, I have to get up and do something. I got SO much done around my house. I'm downloading another one right now so I can have some motivation to get some more things done today.

Book #26

THE TIME TRAVELERS WIFE
by Audrey Niffenegger

Audrey Niffenegger's innovative debut, The Time Traveler's Wife, is the story of Clare, a beautiful art student, and Henry, an adventuresome librarian, who have known each other since Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-three and Henry thirty-one. Impossible but true, because Henry finds himself periodically displaced in time, pulled to moments of emotional gravity from his life, past and future. His disappearances are spontaneous, his experiences unpredictable, alternately harrowing and amusing.

The Time Traveler's Wife depicts the effects of time travel on Henry and Clare's marriage and their passionate love for each other, as the story unfolds from both points of view. Clare and Henry attempt to live normal lives, pursuing familiar goals - steady jobs, good friends, children of their own. All of this is threatened by something they can neither prevent nor control, making their story intensely moving and entirely unforgettable.

This is one of those books on that long list I've seen on everybody's blog (you can check mine out by clicking here) and I was surprised at how few people had read it or even wanted to read it. I never thought about it myself until I needed a book to listen to on my long drive to Park City and back in September. While, the beginning was a bit confusing, once I finally figured out the time table of the time traveller, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Don't worry... you can always wait for the movie.

Book #21

The Appeal

by John Grisham

I feel dishonest giving this book a review, simply because there were big chunks of this book I did not read. I started it a few months ago and I found it less than interesting at times, thus, it took me forever to read.

I finally skipped to the end, which really sucked. LOL Plain and simple, I didn't like it! I didn't like the ending AT ALL. I don't like it when the bad guys win. If something like this really did happen... wow... what a screwed up world we would/do live in! It did give me a lot to think about, though. Read through the reviews on "Good reads" if you'd like some serious opinions about it.

Book #20

The Cellist of Sarajevo
by Steven Galloway

I found this book in the "new" section of the library, and despite never having heard of it, decided to give it a try.

For 22 days in 1992 during the seige of Sarajevo, local cellist Vedran Smailovic played in the spot where a mortar killed 22 people who were standing in line for bread. At any time while he played, he could have been shot by a sniper, but he survived each day, committing a small but significant act of resistance that became the inspiration for Steven Galloway’s new book, The Cellist of Sarajevo. (Admitting here I stole that opening from someone else).

This book is not about this cellist necessarily, but is about three lives of fictional Sarajevo residents. One is Arrow, a sniper who has dead on accuracy who is sent to protect the cellist. Another is Kenan, a married father of three children who makes the deadly trek every 4-5 days to collect fresh drinking water for his family and ornery neighbor. The first, is Dragan, whose wife and son evacuated to Italy, and he was left behind, alone, and totally disconnected in a world he isn't sure why he wants to live in. All three of these people have one thing in common... the Cellist, who is reminding them all that they are still human and they want to survive in this war torn city.

I have not spent much time in my life learning about this seige that happened in Sarajevo during this time so I wasn't sure what to expect. The writer of this book did a beautiful job of writing about this war torn city and making you feel like you were there, experiencing the bombings, the deaths, the atrocities that happened. You could feel the buildings crumble, the sound of gunfire, and even the sound of the cello as it played every day for 22 days. Beautifully written and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an easy, yet well written read!

Book #19

Breaking Dawn
by Stephenie Meyer

(don't worry, there are no spoilers here)
I headed out bright and early (noon) on Saturday to find this book (with success) and vegetated for the next two days until I had it read (stopping only to pee, eat, sleep, and go to church).

Stephenie Meyer is a wonderful storyteller. She has such talent and what an imagination! I enjoyed the book VERY much. My only issues were that it wasn't quite what I expected... very sugary and flowery and violent in all the wrong places. It was hard to believe these were the same characters from the previous books, although, things had changed and the characters were bound to change as well.

I am glad that my daughter has shown no interest in reading the series, because she would be disappointed when I wouldn't let her read this one! Not for a good long time! A book for adults? Sure. A book for teens? Maybe. A book for pre-teens? Unlike her others... definitely not!

But, overall... I enjoyed it. It was a fabulous love story! Just... shocking... and a tad boring in places (I'm sorry, but I found the 100 pages SO boring... perhaps I was just tired from reading so much in such a short time, but it was all I could do to finish it) as she can really make a short story long. Did you read it? If so, what did you think of it?

Book #18

Plain Truth
by Jodi Picoult

When I discovered that my local library actually got in a couple of Jodi Picoult books, I jumped at the chance to read another one, especially after enjoying the last one so well. The only one they had in was "Plain Truth" and once again, I was not disappointed. This one was not written from each persons point of view like her others I have read.

The book is about a big city lawyer named Ellie who was asked to defend an Amish girl named Katie who is being accused of murdering her newborn baby. The catch is, Katie insists, despite all the evidence, that she never had a baby. I learned so much about the Amish community and so did the author as she lived with an Amish family for awhile doing research. Excommunicated amish members who have read her book (amish wouldn't be allowed to read it) have said she nailed the details. They are a God fearing, Christian centered, non judgemental people who believe in forgiving and forgetting... something that just isn't found in today's society. Made me wish my big sister was moving back to Amish-country where she used to live instead of Mississippi next month (since I might get to go visit her this time around) just so I could go see how they live for myself.

Now I must finish a book I started back in April (a John Grisham book... they usually don't take me this long to read!) so that I can read Stephenie Meyers new release next weekend! I told my husband we were coming to town next Saturday no matter what, and I was buying the book, and he said "and what are you planning on doing to deserve buying this book?" (totally kidding of coarse) and I said "absolutely nothing!" Um... okay then... we'll go buy it when it comes out. Good answer! Anybody else excited???

Book #17

CHANGE OF HEART

by: Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult is, I think, one of my new favorite authors. If you've never read one of her books, her writing style is to have each chapter be told in a first persons point of view, from different characters in the story. It's not from the main characters point of view, but those around them. Last year, I read "My sisters keeper" and I went absolutely insane reading it. I thought I would never read another book of hers, for it was just so emotional, but not in a weeping and wailing sort of way. It was a fantastic book that infuriated me the entire time while reading.

Then my sister calls and says she has this book she wants me to take to Utah with me to read, it was fantastic! Jodi Picoult? Okay, I suppose we'll give her another try. I'm SO glad I did!

This book takes place in the minds of four people...

June, the mother of eleven year old Claire who desperately needs a heart transplant, and also the mother of a little girl and wife of a police officer brutally murdered by Shay Bourne.

Lucius... the inmate whose cell is next to Shay's.

Maggie... Shay's lawyer.

And Father Michael... Shay's spiritual advisor.

And what's the story about? Shay, a death row inmate who wants to do one thing in death... donate his heart to Claire... if Maggie and Father Michael can convince June and the state of New Hampshire to let him do it.

What a fantastic story, even if parts of it were stolen from "The Green Mile"!!!

I am now wishing our local library carried more by Jodi Picoult (my sister checked this out from the high school library where she works). I want to read them all.

Book #16

the host

by Stephenie Meyer

My new favorite book! I haven't read a book this thick (over 600 pages) so quickly since the Twilight Series. It took me a few days to get past the first 100 pages or so. I wasn't too sure about it, it was complicated and a tad confusing and I found myself constantly putting it down and finding more interesting things to do. My niece assured me that it was worth it to keep reading, so I kept at it. So I did. Then I was sucked in and I couldn't put it down.

This was, to me, just as good, if not better than the Twilight Series, which I loved. She is such a fantastic story teller. What a wild imagination she has! Who would ever come up with this invasion of the body snatchers alien chick named Wanderer and make her not just likeable, but loveable. Then there's Jared, (I'm still *swooning* over his kisses) and Ian, *swoon* and of coarse, Melanie, Jared's long lost love whose body is hosting (unwillingly) the alien they nickname Wanda.

Confused? Yep... I'd explain it, but I think you'll just have to read it! It's like Invasion of the body snatchers (which I've never seen, so I guess that's a bad comparison. OH! Did you ever watch that short lived series called Invasion where the aliens came down and tried to take over the humans) meets Red Dawn (a group of survivors hiding in the wilderness from the bad guys) with a little Lost (totally far fetched and downright confusing) mixed together.

I made the mistake half way through of reading part of the last page (a bad habit of mine). It angered me! It wasn't what I wanted to happen. *whine* Turns out, the ending was fantastic and better than I could hope for ... and well duh, there's a reason you don't read the end first! Truly a GREAT story!!! I can't wait for the movie! Ha ha!

If any of you have read it, I'd love to hear what you thought of it.

Book #15

TANGLED ROOTS

by GG Vandagriff

This book was lent to me by my mother, and she borrowed it from my sister, #3. It's a mystery novel whose "detectives" are genealogists (I think it's part of a series, too). I would have never thought to solve crimes using simple genealogy, but she did, and she didn't do too bad of a job. It was not the best book I've ever read, but it wasn't the worst, either.

What I found most interesting is that the author wrote this book in the early 90's, so of coarse, that was back before the days of internet research, and it's all done using phones and faxes and actual libraries. The author, after writing the book, became ill and lost her memory and ability to write, I believe (I can't find the book just now to read what it said for sure). Several years ago, she had recovered and was going through her computer files, only to discover this book she'd written and never had published. So she rewrote it, keeping it in the same mid 90's time period.

The only part of the book that really bothered me was the somewhat romantic attraction between two cousins... even though they were like 9th cousins 4 times removed or something (in other words, very distant... hey, even my own parents are very distantly related... could explain a lot about me, eh?), they still referred to each other as cousins, introduced one another as cousins, and all I could think was... Ewwww.... thank goodness the author is LDS so the actual romance was basically non-existent (the attraction was there, but the romance was not), because.... Ewwww. Not as Ewwww as The Love Guru movie, which I highly do NOT recommend, but still Ewwww.

About the time my mom starts referring to my dad as her cousin... it's all over with for me!

Book #14

The Good Heart

By James Michael Pratt

This is the kind of book I would write if I were to ever write a book. Why? Because it sucked. Really. I bought this book last summer for $2.99 at Deseret Book. It took me the last nine months to finish reading it, I just never could get into it. The only reason I finished reading it is out of guilt... you buy it, you read it. I'm certainly glad I didn't pay full price!

The book is about a guy named Mike Stone, his girlfriend/eventual fiance/eventual wife, heart surgeon Maggie, politics, conspiracy, bad guys, murder, senators, ministers, and a rare (and I'm not altogether sure possible) double heart transplant (meaning, it was transplanted into one dude and 30 years or so later into another dude... the heart that just wouldn't give up?). I am still not sure what it was about... of coarse, I sort of forgot over the past eight months, but it wasn't interesting enough to reread, that was for sure.

I definitely enjoyed his first book, "the last valentine" a TON better!

Book #13

The boy in the striped pajamas

by: John Boyne

When my sister recommended this book, I was immediately disappointed to find out that it wasn't available in my public library.... surprise, surprise! However, they had an extra copy at the local high school where she works, so she brought one home for me to read.

This is the story of a boy named Bruno whose life is forever changed after he and his family move to a remote new home, and he strikes up a friendship with the only boy who appears to be around (copied from imdb.com). With a heartbreaking and almost disturbing ending that will leave you stunned, it's an easy read (I read it in a day). Afterall, it's a story told through the eyes of a nine year old boy.

Thanks for the recommendation and loan of the book, sister dear.

Book #12

Gadiantons and the Silver Sword

By Chris Heimerdinger

After finishing the first book in the series, I darted to the library for the next. My thoughts on this book are... take a photocopy of Lord of the Rings, take out the ring and insert a sword, and changing names of Frodo and Sam to Jim and Garth, and you have this book!

I definitely liked the first one better, as did my husband who also listened to them, but I can't wait to get the next one in the series (which is currently not in the library right now, so it will be a few weeks)!

Book #11

Tennis Shoes among the Nephites

by Chris Heimerdinger

I think I am the only person I know of who had never read any of the Tennis Shoes among the Nephites series. When I was looking for a good book to listen to on tape, I spied this series, and decided it would be an excellent subject!

I was not disappointed!

Book #10

Thirteen Moons

by Charles Frazier

Well written, but very DEEP... I think I've had my fill of these kinds of books for awhile! Time for something simple and easy. I can't truly describe it, so check it out on Amazon if you are interested.

Book #9

The Soldiers Lady

By: Michael Phillips

This book was not my favorite book despite the fact that I really really wanted to like it! It starts out telling of an incident with Emma, a former slave living on a large plantation in the south, and then back tracks several months.

Parts of the book are told in first person by Mayme, another former slave that also lives there, even though the book is primarily about Emma and her search for God.

This first person narration often left me confused and unable to figure out if it really was Mayme talking or someone else. I even found myself skipping over parts in an effort to get to the end of the book to find out what happened with Emma and her soldier.

Overall, though, the premise of the story was really good and heartfelt, I think it had potential to be a really good story, I just don't personally think it was told well. Thus, it was just "okay", and I doubt I will read any more books in the series.

Book #8

Lest you wonder if all I ever do is read anymore, alas, I do not. I also listen to them on CD while I piddle around the house, cleaning up after not so small ungrateful children who think that's all a mom is good for. I had picked up this book on CD determined to only listen to it while walking on the treadmill. Nine CD's..., 10 1/2 hours of listening... that's a whole load of walking I was about to do!

As it turns out, walking and listening is almost as difficult for me as walking and reading, but most of this is due to the fact that the treadmill sounds like a hovering helicopter and I could barely hear what I was listening to. So I resorted to listening while working on other projects. Like cleaning.


My first book on CD was:

Circle of Quilters: An Elm Creek Quilt Novel

by Jennifer Chiaverini

Now before you get your panties in a wad over this being a boring quilting book like my husband did when he thought I actually brought this book home for him to listen to, let me assure you, it is not about quilting per say. It's about the people who quilt.

There are five main characters in the book all vying for the job as a teacher at a quilt camp retreat (yes, they actually have these in real life, too!) called the Elm Creek Quilt camp. Each has a different history and background, each is very skilled and qualified in many different ways, and each one also has a love of quilting that impatient people like me cannot begin to fathom. As it dove into each characters history, I couldn't wait for the end to see who would get the coveted job, hoping that somehow they'd suddenly come up with five openings at the camp as I wanted them all to have it. I also came away with this huge desire to make a quilt. It'll never happen, but I can dream.

It was a very well written and charming book. I'm glad I checked out Denise's suggestions on Goodreads. Thanks Denise!!!

Book #7

Stolen from Lisa...

1. Grab the book closest to you.
2. Open to page 123, go down to the fifth sentence.
3. Post the text of the next three sentences on your blog.
4. Name of the book and the author.

"Not normally. But they are unpredictable when they are intoxicated. It's simply too dangerous."

The measure of a Lady by Deeanne Gist.

What an enjoyable book... so steamy, and fun, and CLEAN to boot! The story of a young lady who comes to San Francisco in 1949 who tries to "remain a beacon of virtue in a city of vice."