Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Book 8, 2012 - The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis


While I found this book pretty darn good, it is going to set me back in my reading challenge for the year!  This book was loooonnnnngggg.... but with the exception of about 100 pages in the beginning/ middle, it held my interest.  This was a book club selection, or I never would have picked this baby up.  It has historical fiction/ science fiction/ comedy aspects all rolled into one.  Definitely a great book when you're looking for a "heavier" fare... definitely not a beach read.

Did I like the book?  Yes, for the most part.  Would I recommend it?  Depends on the person.  Rating?  4 out of 5. 

Now on to something easier!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Book 7, 2012 The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

After two very funny books in a row, I went back to my standard "what-would-you-do" fare.  These are the kinds of books I typically read... chick-lit that's not too fluffy.  Without describing the plot, (which I know can be read on Amazon in no time flat), two young girls go missing for a day, and this book is about the process each family takes to find the girls.  I thought this book was ~fine~.  This was an entertaining, fast read, but I will not remember this book a couple of months from now.  That's ok with me though--  not every book has to be the BEST.  With that...

Did I like it?  It was OK.  Would I recommend it?  Probably not.  Rating?  2.5 out of 5.

Book 6, 2012 - Bossypants by Tina Fey

I thought Mindy Kaling's book was pretty funny, until I read Tina Fey's book and realized the former was just a warm up.  Tina Fey is hilarious.  I found all of it a complete laugh-fest.  Funny thing is, this is also a book club book and I've compared notes with a couple others that have already read it... (we haven't had our meeting yet)....  and I think I'm alone!  No one else finds it very funny!  I'm not sure what that says about me!  Regardless, I stand by this quasi-review.... It's funny!!!

Did I like?  YES!  Would I recommend?  Yes!  Rating?  4 out of 5.

Book 5, 2012 Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

After the disaster that the ending of the Hunger Games was for me, I needed something light.  This book certainly fit the bill.  I laughed out loud several times with this book.  I have to admit, it felt like the last 1/3 to 1/4 of the book she was reaching a bit for material.  I don't think discussing pictures taken on one's cell phone to be terribly editorial or interesting, but it's part of the book.  Oh well.. the good definitely outweighed the bad.  Fun book.... I admire people, especially women, that exceed their goals.

Did I like?  Sure.  Would I recommend?  Sure.  Rating?  3.5 out of 5.

Book 4, 2012 - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Why oh why oh why?  I didn't like this book whatsoever.  I couldn't be more disappointed with the ending of this otherwise fantastic trilogy.  I thought the over-the-top violence and gore was unnecessary.  All of the great qualities about Katniss' character went right out the window with this book.  The first two books had a lot to say, I think, politically and otherwise.... besides being highly entertaining.  This book could not have been more of a letdown.

Did I like?  Not at all.  Would I recommend?  I have already told people to steer clear.  If you want to know the ending, just ask me.... I'll tell you.  Rating?  1 out of 5.  Booooooo.

Book 3, 2012 - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

This book picks up right where the Hunger Games left off.  For me, this was definitely a sequel, in that it could never quite compare to the fantastic story that was the first novel in this series.  That said, this was still a worthy follow-up to a great story that I still am thinking about, 5 books later!  What an interesting premise.  Still a bit disturbed by the marketing to teens, as will be even more pronounced once the movie is released.  Regardless, I'm a big ole Hunger Games fan. 

Did I like?  Yes.  Would I recommend?  Yes.  Rating?  4.5 out of 5.

Book 2, 2012 -The Lost Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini

I hadn't read anything by this author before. I love historical fiction books, and with this one being set around the Underground Railroad times, I certainly had a lot to learn.   I love to read books about topics which I really have no clue about.  The second book club I am in selected this book and it had mixed reviews.  Personally, I thought it was an interesting dynamic between the upper middle class of the South and the poor black slaves who served them during the Civil War. 

Sooo....  Did I like it?  Yes.  Would I recommend it?  Yes.  Rating?  3.5 out of 5.

Book 1, 2012 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

What a great way to start the new year by reading a book that I truly couldn't put down.  I dreamed about it (not restful sleep, I might add!) when I wasn't finished.  It was on my mind all of the time!  I haven't read a book that grabbed me completely like this one did from the very first page.  I loved it and would recommend it to anyone.... except probably the YA group it's apparently marketed toward.  That disturbs me a bit.

In any event.... Did I like it?  Oh yeah.  Would I recommend it?  Definitely.  Rating?  5 out of 5.

Something I've always wanted to try....

I've been looking for an outlet to write in a personal way for a long time.  Did I want to go about this by doing a "blog"?  Sounds so...  much younger than I am.  Well, I happened across a reading challenge when perusing an internet search, and thought this might be the perfect excuse to create that blog that has been in the back of my mind for a couple of years. 

Can I actually read a book a week?  I'm going to try... and semi-review the book as my blog.  I say "semi-review" as I do not know how to actually review a book properly.  I do not seem to know enough about writing novels to critique and criticize books that I read.  I am always in awe of authors who can actually write --AND PUBLISH-- a book, that I don't feel I can accurately review a book like those in newspapers and magazines.  What I can do is just simply state whether I liked a book, whether or not I would recommend the book to others, and overall rate the book on a scale of 1 to 5.  Easy enough, right?

The biggest obstacle I can see is will I find the time to read 52 books in a year?  It's going to be tough, no doubt.  Will I find some shorter books to make up the slack?  Most definitely.  Regardless, I love having a reason to read, and I love having an outlet to encourage me to think about books after I close the cover, (or turn it off in this beautiful Kindle society!)

As far as the title of the blog goes, that comes from my local book club that has been together since October, 2003.  We started with ten mothers who all had small children and a love of reading in common.  We are down to seven members, but we are still going strong.  I look forward to that meeting every five weeks.  I probably should have checked with them as far as the title goes;  I'm hoping I haven't infringed on an unsaid copyright.  But then again, I haven't decided whether I am sharing this blog with anybody!