*twitter style*
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by M.S. and A.B.
*An unlikely friendship blossoms between letters of a writer and the community-family of Guernsey.*
I Loooooooooooooooooove this book. I can't recommend it enough. (THANK YOU ALI!) This goes on the list of books I could re-read over and over. And quite frankly that list isn't to large. Beautiful story. Beautiful characters. You'll love it. Anyone up for a trip to Guernsey?
Heaven is Here
by Stephanie Nielsen
*Airplane crash victim's experience healing body and soul.*
I admittedly didn't love the first part of this book. While I admire Stephanie Nielson a lot, the beginning of this book is a little slow and bit redundant. However, it improves as you go and by the end you love her, her story, and her thoughts about life. This book is a good reminder of what is really important in life.
by Markus Zusak
*WWII young German girl. Steals books. Befriends a Jew. Learns to read. Learns of life.*
I picked this book up from my husband's bookshelf on a whim. I hadn't ever heard of it and even though I know you aren't suppose to judge a book by its cover... I did. (It's kinda a creepy cover.) But once I started it I couldn't put it down. The writing in this book is phenomenal! Come on! With Death as the narrator how can that not be the most intriguing book you've ever read. Make sure you know someone that has already read this because when you finish it you will be dying to talk to someone about it. (Thank you AGAIN Ali for already having read it! I just HAD to talk to someone.)
84 Charing Cross Road
by Helene Hanff
*Real letters shared between a New Yorker and an old used books salesman.*
This is the seemingly real life version of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. You will fall in love with the witty, sarcastic writer and the sweet and sincere booksman... and their love of books. (Thanks again Ali!)
Visions of Glory
by John Pontius
I honestly won't tell you much about this book except that you must really discover it yourself. John Pontius has transcribed a series of visions given to a friend (pseudonym "Spencer") about the premortal life and Second Coming. Interesting thoughts and ideas. Read it with the Spirit. It really gets you thinking.
Enchantment
by Orson Scott Card
*Modern adaption of the Snow White story*
Honestly, loved the idea. And at times I really did love reading this book. There were clever and complex story details that made this an excellent read at times... BUT... I admit... I am not the biggest Orson Scott Card fan. Gasp. It's true. And I'm not exactly sure why. I simply have seen a trend in the books of his that I read that I'm not always 100% satisfied and sometimes a little annoyed at his crudeness. Anyhow, I still finished this in a day and enjoyed it for the most part.
Peace Like a River
by Leif Enger
*An asthmatic boy with an unusual family searches for his fugitive brother*
Some books you read for the story. Some books you read for the writing. This book was hands down some of the most beautiful writing I've read. I wasn't nearly as interested in the story as I was in the beautiful unfolding of it.
Hunger Games #2 and #3
by Suzanne Collins
Ugh. I caved. I never read the first one. I had been determined not to see the movie but since I did anyway and was desperate for something to read and these happened to be lying around the house and I couldn't find anything better... I caved. (Hows that for run on sentence.) I am one of the few people that seemed to really hate the Hunger Games. I don't like the idea. I kept my eyes closed for most of the first movie. Somehow I ended up reading the 2nd one and actually liked it. So I continued on with the third one and hated it. So here it is... I am a Hunger Games hater. Done. (PS...still liked the second movie.) I also think her writing is really annoying.
by Sophie Kinsella
*A girl loses her engagement ring and her phone, steals/borrows a phone and finds her man *
Laughs. Laughs. Laughs. How have I not heard of this author before? I loved this book. I was skeptical at first but it quickly proved itself. Quick read. Fun story. A great way to keep your mind off of being pregnant.(Thanks ALI!)
The Grand Sophy
by Georgette Heyer
*Vivacious young matchmaker breaks Regency norms and eventually makes a match for herself.*
Again, Laughs. Laughs. Laughs. Regency style. Another great book to keep your mind off being pregnant (seeing a trend here?). I really did enjoy this book. Another quick but excellent read. (Thanks Ali! Can you tell that Ali saved my reading list this year?)
Enders Game (audio)
by Orson Scott Card
*Young child is tasked with saving the world.*
I went a little backwards on this one. I saw the movie before I read (well...listened) to the book. I'm not much of a sci-fy person but I happened to really like the movie. I actually REALLY liked the movie. The kind of "Like" where you are still thinking about it two days later. So needless to say I had high expectations for the book. And honestly, I was a little disappointed that I wasn't raving about it like everyone else I know. What this tells me is that I got almost everything I needed from the movie about the story and the details were little help. Of course, I did admit previously that I'm not the biggest Orson Scott Card fan. To be fair, I did enjoy the additional story of Ender's brother and sister. And I love the complex moral dilemna.
Leadership and Self-Deception
by The Arbinger Institute
*Are you in the box? A story of perceptions, ways of thinking, and getting out of "the box."*
I just made a goal to read this every year. Or at least every few years. It is an excellent read. Everyone needs to read this. It is a great application of the principles of sympathy, empathy, communication, how to change perspective, and strengthen relationships.
