HELLO 2011!!!

I surpassed my goal of 50 books in 2010 by finishing a total of 70 books! So..new goal for 2011 will be 75 books. AND, I'm going to try to be better about the "reviewing" part...here's to a new year!!!

The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer

A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosnay

My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster

Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

I fell in love with Jennifer Weiner while reading In Her Shoes and have since requested each of her books as soon as they are available. This, like all of Weiner's previous works, is about what it's like to be a woman. The story follows Sylvie Woodruf and her two daughters as they deal with the infidelity of Richard, Sylvie's husband and Senator for the state of New York. Both girls, Diana and Lizzie, are involved in their own difficult situations, but eventually all three women make their way back to Sylvie's childhood summer home where they rebuild not only their lives, but their relationships with each other.

Would I recommend this book? YES! Though I was disappointed with Weiner's last book, this one more than makes up for it.

The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson

This final book of the series wraps up the tale of Lisbeth Salander. As with the previous two, there are a lot of details and reference to Swedish landmarks so at times it's difficult to keep everything straight, but an excellent book.

Would I recommend this book? ABSOLUTELY!

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

I borrowed this book from my friend's mom who loved it. This is the story of a woman who discovers she has alzheimers and how the rapid progression of the disease affects her life, work and family. Written by a neurologist, I think it's an accurate depiction of the disease, but might be a tad to technical for some readers.

Would I recommend this book? Yes.

Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich

Not Erdrich's best by far. Such a strange story I actually had to return the book to the library a couple times and start over...sadly, it never got better.

Would I recommend this book? No way.

Men and Dogs by Katie Crouch

One of the strangest books I've ever read, but not entirely a waste of time. This is the story of a woman who can't move forward with her life until she answers the questions from her past that continue to haunt her. I couldn't help but dislike the protagonist, but also couldn't quit reading. Finally she learns that "sometimes there won't be a why" but it takes a long time to get to that point.

Would I recommend this book? It's an easy read, but still quite annoying.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Final book in the Hunger Games series. Katniss Everdeen reluctantly agrees to be the face of the revolution of the Districts against the Capitol. As the story unfolds, she discovers layers of deception and struggles to follow her gut to achieve her personal agenda.

Would I recommend this book? Though it's my least favorite of the series, it's the conclusion, thus necessary to read.

The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson

Second in the series, Lisbeth Salander is accused of multiple murders. Forced to go into hiding, she must rely (unwillingly) on Blomkvist to help her solve the many mysteries and clear her name.

Would I recommend this book? YES!

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

Story of four couples who are best friends and the many ways in which their dynamic is interupted when one of the couples dies in a boating accident, leaving behind two small children and many unanswered questions.

Would I recommend this book? It's long, but still a good read.

Tinkers by Paul Harding

Another library book club pick. This was not my kind of book...slightly confusing with the manner it is written and overall, a pretty strange storyline.

Would I recommend this book? Wouldn't even cross my mind.

Every Last One by Anna Quindlen

Mary Beth Latham is first and foremost a mother. Her three teenaged children come first, before her career, or her life as the wife of a doctor. Caring for her family and preserving their everyday life is the most important thing in her life. When one of her sons becomes depressed, that becomes her focus until she is blindsided by a terrible act of violence. This is a story about facing the things that scare us most.

Would I recommend this book? ABSOLUTELY!

Rachel Calof's story by Rachel Calof

This was a selection from the book club at our local library. Short book, good history, but not incredibly engaging. Follows a Jewish immigrant as she settles in North Dakota with her new husband and his family. It was a tough life and I'm amazed that any of them survived, but I'm glad it wasn't much longer.

Would I recommend this book? If you like history, it's worth reading.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Second book in the Hunger Games series. Katniss Everdeen returns to the arena after the "Quarter Quell" reveals that the tributes for the 75th Hunger Games will be selected from each District's current Victors. As the events unfold, a secret plot is revealed and Katniss discovers that she is the face of an uprising among the Districts. Though her goal in the arena is only to keep Peeta,her fellow District 12 tribute, alive, it becomes clear that everyone eles's goal is to keep her alive at all costs.

Would I recommend this book? Yes...LOVE! THIS! SERIES!

The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch

Tilly Farmer has the life she always dreamed of: married to her high school sweet heart, working as a guidance counselor in the town where she grew up and trying to start a family of her own. In her mind, everything is perfect...until she walks into a fortune teller's tent at the local fair and starts experiencing insights into the future.

As she frantically tries to keep up with the visions and hopefully keep her life on track, she begins to question which is the life she wants; the one she's built over decades or the one she never imagined she could have.

Would I recommend this book? Though it is a tad unrealistic, it's still worth reading if you are seeking a distraction.

Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich

Like all of the books in this series, this book recounts the antics of Stephanie Plum, the world's worst bounty hunter; a good, quick read.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. Evanovich's books are all light and entertaining.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

**NOTE** Just realized that I didn't post any of these since August. Will get them up ASAP, but likely won't have much for a review.

This was recommended by someone in my book club, so I added it to my list at the library. Long book, lots of detail, but definitely worth reading.

This is the story of Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist who has recently been through a court battle for not revealing his sources and Lisbeth Salander, a computer whiz he hires to help him investigate an unrelated situation. Even with the details and Swedish references, the reader is drawn in as the story, and mystery, unfold and they get closer to the truth. It's a classic story of good triumphing over evil.

Would I recommend this book? Without hesitation...I'm going to have to read the rest of the series.

The Blue Notebook by James Levine

This was selected by my book club, and as I was reading it I thought IMMEDIATELY about my friend Erin and how much she would love this book...then I realized that she is the one who chose it. One of the things I like about my book club is that not everyone enjoys the same style of writing so we get a some variety in what we read. Erin, for example, loves writers who use a lot of descriptive words, are imaginitive and create elaborate images for the reader through their use of figurative language. I'm more of a literal person, so it's unlikely I would have selected a book on my own, which is why I read pretty much every book that is suggested to me.

James Levine is a doctor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN where I used to live, so I was excited to read this book. I assumed it was some sort of medical memoir like most of the books written by doctors. I was VERY wrong!

The story is told by Batuk, a 15-year-old Indian prostitute and I'm amazed that Levine was able to capture her voice the way he did. I never once questioned the authenticity of the narrator. This is an inside look at the world of child prostitution, told from Batuk's perspective as it is essentially a compilation of what she has written in her blue notebook.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. It's a quick read and if you like "flowery literature" you'll love Levine's style.