Book 11, 2013 - The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier

I liked this book.  Historical fiction remains one of my favorite types of books, and this book was no exception.  This book took place in the mid 1800's, and had lots of themes I do not know much about:  slavery, Underground Railroad, Quakers, the movement west in America.  Very interesting.  This was a book club selection otherwise I never would have chosen the story.  I'm glad I did!

I think I have only read one or two other books by Tracy Chevalier, and it has been a long time.  I am glad I got the chance to remember her again.  She writes great - concise, yet enough description for the reader to know exactly what is going on.  Normally her books seem to center around a piece of artwork, and fictionally, she writes about why that painting/ art got created, (i.e., Girl with the Pearl Earring).  This work was not like that.  It didn't matter - it was still a good book.

The book ran a bit off course for me toward the end...  the main character and I were having a difference of opinion, (hee hee) on a few things... but overall, I enjoyed the book and read it quickly.

I should say here that I realize there is absolutely no way I can accomplish my goal of all of this reading this year, but I'm enjoying keeping track of my books nonetheless.  Running a marathon, 3 kids, working, basement remodel are just getting in the way.  Oh well.

Did I like it?  I did.  Would I recommend it?  I would.  Rating?  4 out of 5 stars.

Book 10, 2013 - Night Road by Kristin Hannah

Hmmmm, what to say about this book.  I don't think Kristin Hannah is a phenomenal writer, but I was very drawn in by this book.  This book is truly a mother's worst nightmare, and as the mother of 3 sons, I guess I couldn't help but project myself out a few years and put myself in the position of some of the characters in the book.  Would I act the way they acted?  Hopefully, I will never find out, however, I felt a lot of the reactions that various characters of the book did not feel real to me. 

Something about the way Kristin Hannah writes is very distracting to me, and I can't put my finger on what it is.  Perhaps it is that she seems almost immature - like a high school writer?  The nicknames the kids call each other in this book were so impossible, (really, Zack Attack???), and generic-ness of the whole seaming together of the plot just felt very amateur.  I guess I would describe her as the Poor Man's Jodi Picoult.  I think they both like to explore the same themes, but Jodi's style of writing is far superior. 

I know I didn't say much about the book here, but didn't want to spoil anything either.  I wouldn't even say I wouldn't read more by Hannah - just have to know going in that I'm not going to be wowed by her either.

Did I like it?  Sure.... but sad.  Would I recommend it?  Sure... Rating?  3.5 stars out of 5.... I can't ignore that I couldn't put the book down.

Book 9, 2013 - Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

This was the first book I ever "listened" to via a Playaway from the library.... And it certainly won't be the last!!  I haven't read a good ole Jodi in a long time.  There was a time there where I went to Jodi when I couldn't find anything else....then she wrote The Tenth Circle, which I just hated.  After that, I took a break from her.

I am training for a marathon and have lots of solo time on my hands and I thought I would try a Book on Tape to pass the time and not have music for a while.  I LOVED listening to a book....  But HATED this book.  I wanted to go back to Jodi and love her books again.  I was thoroughly disappointed.  I really did not like any of the characters...couldn't root for any of them.  As is typical Jodi, she tried to do a big surprise ending, a la My Sister's Keeper.  I just couldn't do anything but roll my eyes.  Very predictable and a bummer, to say the least.

Otherwise, can I ponder over what took me so darned long to find books on tape???  It is multi-tasking at its finest!!!

Did I like it?  Nope.  Would I recommend it?  No...  Older Jodi is definitely better.  Rating?  2 out of 5 stars.

Book 8, 2013 - The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

Wow - what conflicting feelings I have about this one.   I don't usually love books that are just plain sad, and well... this book has very little happiness.  I was recommended this one by a friend of mine, saying she couldn't put it down, and I can see why.  As a mother, this book has so many things going on that go right to the heart of being a mother:  the desperate wanting of a child, the loss of children, the hope and wonder and infinite joy that children can bring to families.

I will not give anything away on this one.  Perhaps I was in the minority on not really knowing which way the book would go.  I was anxious to finish it however, because I felt so much nervousness and sadness for virtually every character in the book and just sort of wanted everyone to get out of their grief-stricken lives!  That doesn't make it a "bad" book at all - just well-written tragedy.  I am needing desperately something a bit more upbeat, but I think more books lately just deal with loss and grief.  Hmmm.

Did I like it?  I did...  Would I recommend it?  Definitely... it is a great debut novel.  Rating?  4 out of 5 stars.

Book 7, 2013 - Wild by Cheryl Strayed

It has been a long time since I have read a book that I did not want to end.  This was one of those books.  What a fantastic read.  I tend to prefer fiction books, but a friend highly recommended this book, and I am so very glad she did.  This book chronicles a woman's journey (an overused word, but the right one in this case) traveling the Pacific Coast Trail in 1995.  The things she does, people she meets, and amazing feats she accomplishes is awe-inspiring.  It almost makes you want to try it... Oh my gosh, who am I kidding?  It is really a crazy thing.

Did I like it? No... I seriously loved it.  Recommend it?  Without hesitation.  Rating.... Finally, 5 stars!

Book 6, 2013 - Big Ray by Michael Kimball

Ok, I admit it... I mostly chose this book because a. it was short and b. it had a great cover.  I thought I had heard of it in a book review in a magazine and heard it was decent.

That said, this book was very quick yet disturbing.  It is written in a series of what seems like diary entries by a man in his late thirties.  He is reflecting on his history with his father who has just died.  It does not take long to realize that the history between the main character and his dad is not a happy one.  As the book moves along, you realize how much of a monster the father was ....more gets revealed as the diary is written.  The writing was very simple but effective.  I am not sure you can really 'enjoy' this book because the subject matter is downright depressing.  However, I found myself sympathizing with all of those individuals who have had a lousy childhood and struggle their whole lives coming to terms with it.  Makes my life seem perfect.....  I should count my blessings far more often.

Did I like it?  Hard to say....  Would I recommend?  Probably not.  Rating? Three stars out of five.

Book 5, 2013 - The Secret Between Us by Barbara Delinsky

Another book I didn't love...  Hmmm....  On a roll that way, I guess.  I am officially done reading Delinsky's books, too.  This was the second one of hers I've read, and while the premise of each book sounds great, she bogs down the characters and story with too much extra "stuff" that is not relevant to the story.

This book discussed the telling of a lie and a subsequent coverup by a mom involving a car accident in which her fifteen year old daughter was driving, (with a permit).  The mother takes the fall for her daughter when the accident occurs.  The daughter struggles mightily with guilt and anxiety about their situation....  Interesting idea, when I consider what I would go through to protect my children.  However, the mother in this story gets preoccupied with her own relationship with her father, her ex husband, and her lawyer.  She considers a relationship with another man... Etc etc.  You get the idea.  If my daughter were struggling and I was the cause of it, I don't think I would be thinking about getting a boyfriend.  The plot was juicy enough.... Don't add the superfluous!

Did I like it?  Eh.  Recommend?  Maybe....if you're looking for something mindless.  Rating?  Two stars out of five.

Book 4, 2013 - Stay Close by Harlan Coben

Mistake made:  Do not read back-to-back Harlan Coben books.... or maybe you can, except when the second book STINKS.  Wow... did not like this book at all.  The older I get, the less I enjoy any gratuitous violence that does not help the plot of the book along.  This book has plenty.  While I realize his books are --obviously-- fictional, this one is just too stupid.  I actually was bored and had to force myself to read it.  Not like his other work. 

I think for me, nothing quite compares to the first time I ever read one of his books and was mesmorized.  I haven't had that from him in the last few I've read... while the others were certainly decent, they aren't what his very early works were.  I will read more, but I need a break.  No need to discuss plot twists and turns - there are a few, of course - but overall, I'm underwhelmed by this one.

Did I like it?  Um, read above.  Recommend?  Uh uh.  There are plenty of better ones out there.  Rating? 2 stars.

Book 3, 2013 - Caught by Harlan Coben

I love Harlan Coben's books.  I was needing something quick and different than most of the things I had recently been reading.  I hadn't read anything fast-paced in a while, and this hit the bill.  His stories, for me, tend to be a mystery that I think I can solve... but when the resolution of his stories come through, I realize I never could have figured it all out.  The unsolvable mystery....  I didn't love the main character of the story in this one... a tv reporter who finds child predators online... her story and personality bothered me a lot.  That said, I was happy to have a book that let me just read for pleasure without having to constantly feel sad (like the last few books I'd read)...  a fun book.  On deck, another Harlan Coben that our book club read!  Whew!  Another fun one on the way!

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

Book 2, 2013 - Violets of March by Sarah Jio

This book was selected by my book club, or I certainly wouldn't have heard of it.  The member of our group who chose it said Amazon recommended it to those who like Kate Morton, (which if you've read my other entries, I think Kate Morton is a goddess author!).  Anyhow, I would classify Sarah Jio as a Kate Morton wannabe.... she's not in the same category.  That said, it was an easy read with enough mystery to keep me wanting to find out where the story was going to go.  Coming off such a deep read prior, this hit the spot.

Did I like it?  Sure.  Would I recommend it?  Maybe.  Rating?  3 out of 5 stars.

Book 1, 2013 - Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Wow - This book was excellent.  I started it in December, and it took a solid month to get through.. surely to break a 52 book-in-a-year-book-challenge.  Well worth the risk.  This book is powerful, deep, and sure to make you think long after the book ends.  I have read a lot of people struggled to get into the book... not me.  It grabbed me right at the beginning.  I never like to give a synopsis of the book here, (heck, that's what Amazon is for!) but this book is really worth the hype. 

Did I like it?  YES!  Would I recommend it?  Yes - but really only if you have the time for it.  Rating?  4.5 out of 5 stars

Book 27, 2012 - A Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Banks

I picked this book up because my husband was deer hunting at the time.  Ironically, this book has nothing to do with hunting or fishing whatsoever.  I don't remember much of this book (again finished in November 2012), other than it had short chapters of lots of different characters that didn't really fit in with each other.  I liked it.  It was quirky and interesting and a fast read. 

Did I like it?  Yes.  Would I recommend it?  Definitely.  Rating?  4 out of 5 stars.

Book 26, 2012 - One True Thing by Anna Quindlen

I also completely love Anna Quindlen.  That said, this book was a tough one.  It is very sad and makes you reflect on the lives and relationships here in "the real world".  I never saw this movie, which I have heard is quite good... but I did love this book.  It is a bit of a mystery and tear-jerker all rolled up into one.  I finished this book also in November of 2012 and I remember thinking I was glad it was over before Thanksgiving rolled around.... all those relationships! 

I sincerely hope to get through everything Anna has written.  I love her style.  Except of course, her political crap.  That, I couldn't disagree with more.  :)

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

Book 25, 2012 - The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

Kate Morton is a goddess for me.  I have absolutely LOVED everything she has written.  I reserved this book from the library for months before it was released.  I cannot even begin to imagine the kind of thought and planning that goes into writing any of her books.  I finished this book in November last year, and while it took a bit of time to get through, that is what makes her books so great.  She has a wicked intricacy about everything she writes.  It's not supposed to be simple.  This book was no exception.

Did I like?  No - I LOVED it.  Would I recommend?  Oh yes.  Rating?  4.5 out of 5.

Book 24, 2012 - Kiss River by Diane Chambelain

Wow - how sad of me.  I never went back into my old blog to finish the books I read in 2012.  I think I felt defeated that I didn't come close to reading 52 books in 52 weeks.  Hmmm... I guess I should make my goal to read as many books as I can in a year... and maybe someday when life becomes less stressful and the kids don't need me to cart them everywhere, I'll probably read that many.  I can't wish time away, though, right?  SO... this was the 24th book I read last year.  I don't remember much about it, other than it was a sequel to an earlier Diane Chamberlain book I'd read.  I still dig her, even though this book wasn't my favorite.  Finished in Oct, 2012.

Did I like?  I think so?  Would I recommend?  Eh.  3 stars.