Title: Saving Karyn
Author: Karyn Bosnak
Published: 2003
Pages: 445
Days it took me to read: 2 days
Rating 3.5
Favorite Quote " I really needed this ______ it's an investment into my future."
Review: This book is about a girl who moves to the big city to be on her own for once, and away from the life that she knows to 'find herself'. All she seemed to find was stores to shop in. I could relate to her and yet I feel like I have a little bit more self control than to let me spending get to the point of 20k in debt. She was very smart in starting a website to have people help her, but I could see both sides of the story. People were upset b/c she was having others pay back her debt that she gained by buying $400 sunglasses and $500 purses. There are thousands (millions I'm sure) of people all around the world who are in debt but do not have others paying back for them. She was lucky enough to be the first to think of this...and very unlucky to have gone through this hell. I can't even, and don't even want to imagine the stress she felt reading her credit card statements.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Unlikely Disciple
Title: The Unlikely Disciple
Author: Kevin Roose
Published: 2009
Pages: 319
Days it took me to read: 3 days
Rating: 4 stars
Favorite Quote: this isn't really a quote, but he talks about how 'normal' the students at Liberty are.
Review: So this book is about a Quaker who goes to Liberty college for a semester. He is not a Christian but he wants to see what it is like at a Christian college. There are many things I found interesting about this book. I think it is nice to show people that Christians are 'normal' and that they deal with the same issues everyone on the planet deals with. Of course there are things I didn't like about the book - I guess I have never really been a big Jerry Falwell fan mainly because I think he was more a 'bible pusher' and gave a back image of Christians, or at least a little too hard core. But it was interesting to learn about the school he started! I think this is a great book for anyone to read. I do enjoy reading debut novels because I look at the author's writing style, things I would have changed etc. But this is a great reminder to everyone out there that no one is perfect and we are all dealing with our own struggles through life.
Author: Kevin Roose
Published: 2009
Pages: 319
Days it took me to read: 3 days
Rating: 4 stars
Favorite Quote: this isn't really a quote, but he talks about how 'normal' the students at Liberty are.
Review: So this book is about a Quaker who goes to Liberty college for a semester. He is not a Christian but he wants to see what it is like at a Christian college. There are many things I found interesting about this book. I think it is nice to show people that Christians are 'normal' and that they deal with the same issues everyone on the planet deals with. Of course there are things I didn't like about the book - I guess I have never really been a big Jerry Falwell fan mainly because I think he was more a 'bible pusher' and gave a back image of Christians, or at least a little too hard core. But it was interesting to learn about the school he started! I think this is a great book for anyone to read. I do enjoy reading debut novels because I look at the author's writing style, things I would have changed etc. But this is a great reminder to everyone out there that no one is perfect and we are all dealing with our own struggles through life.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Happy Accidents
Title: Happy Accidents
Author: Jane Lynch
Published: 2011
Pages 302
Days it took me to read it: 4 hours
Rating: 3.5 stars
Favorite Quote: "Find what you do best and do your best with it"
Review: I was telling my friend Bayley how I had wanted to read Tina Fey's "Bossypants" (which I still do!) and she told me there was another funny lady's book I should read - Happy Accidents. I have watched a bunch of Jane Lynch's movies - Best in Show, 40 year old Virgin, Role Models. She is hilarious. I guess you could say I am a fan but not obsessed, and I'm not a fan of Glee. The book was interesting to read how she got into her acting career (she really wasn't 'found' until her mid-40s!) She lived and worked in Chicago until her late 30's so as she was writing about places it was pretty cool to know what she was talking about.
After she talked about some of the movies I had seen her in, it made me want to watch them again because most of them are improv which I thought was just fantastic and now knowing that I want to watch them again. If you need an easy read, know who Jane Lynch is then yes I would say go for it and read it. But if you have something else that you've been looking forward to reading - go for that one first.
Author: Jane Lynch
Published: 2011
Pages 302
Days it took me to read it: 4 hours
Rating: 3.5 stars
Favorite Quote: "Find what you do best and do your best with it"
Review: I was telling my friend Bayley how I had wanted to read Tina Fey's "Bossypants" (which I still do!) and she told me there was another funny lady's book I should read - Happy Accidents. I have watched a bunch of Jane Lynch's movies - Best in Show, 40 year old Virgin, Role Models. She is hilarious. I guess you could say I am a fan but not obsessed, and I'm not a fan of Glee. The book was interesting to read how she got into her acting career (she really wasn't 'found' until her mid-40s!) She lived and worked in Chicago until her late 30's so as she was writing about places it was pretty cool to know what she was talking about.
After she talked about some of the movies I had seen her in, it made me want to watch them again because most of them are improv which I thought was just fantastic and now knowing that I want to watch them again. If you need an easy read, know who Jane Lynch is then yes I would say go for it and read it. But if you have something else that you've been looking forward to reading - go for that one first.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Sing Your Way Home
Title: Sing Your Way Home
Author: Jodi Picoult (I obviously had some catching up to do)
Published: 2011
Pages: 466
Days it took me to read it: 6 hours
Rating 2.5
Favorite Quote: Honestly do not have a fav from this book really..
Review: Well as you can see in my past 3 posts, all I did this weekend was read. I told my co-worker that I read 3 books and she was like 'WHAT?' I guess that is a lot for a normal person but who ever said I was normal? So this is the latest in Jodi's collection and I have to say it's probably one of my least favorites, along with 'The Tenth Circle' which I had to force myself to finish. This is about a couple who tries IVF and loses a baby. They divorce and the husband finds Jesus and the wife finds love with another woman. Let me just say, I am not anit-gay. I feel that everyone has a right to do what they want with their life - but this book just wasn't my thing. I mean I felt that it gave Christianity a bad rap because of how pushy, showy, and closed minded the husband and pastor were. I understand that it is a sin to be gay, I also know though that God does not want us to judge others. He wants us to love one another...
I did like Zoe's job, a music therapist. I did think it was pretty cool that this book came with a CD. Jodi actually wrote the lyrics and then a friend of her's sang the songs and brought Zoe to life. That is pretty darn cool! I will say this book was an easy read, and as always Jodi's characters are easy to relate to; it just wasn't my kind of book. It did have a great ending though which I was happy about especially after reading 'Handle With Care's ending. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Author: Jodi Picoult (I obviously had some catching up to do)
Published: 2011
Pages: 466
Days it took me to read it: 6 hours
Rating 2.5
Favorite Quote: Honestly do not have a fav from this book really..
Review: Well as you can see in my past 3 posts, all I did this weekend was read. I told my co-worker that I read 3 books and she was like 'WHAT?' I guess that is a lot for a normal person but who ever said I was normal? So this is the latest in Jodi's collection and I have to say it's probably one of my least favorites, along with 'The Tenth Circle' which I had to force myself to finish. This is about a couple who tries IVF and loses a baby. They divorce and the husband finds Jesus and the wife finds love with another woman. Let me just say, I am not anit-gay. I feel that everyone has a right to do what they want with their life - but this book just wasn't my thing. I mean I felt that it gave Christianity a bad rap because of how pushy, showy, and closed minded the husband and pastor were. I understand that it is a sin to be gay, I also know though that God does not want us to judge others. He wants us to love one another...
I did like Zoe's job, a music therapist. I did think it was pretty cool that this book came with a CD. Jodi actually wrote the lyrics and then a friend of her's sang the songs and brought Zoe to life. That is pretty darn cool! I will say this book was an easy read, and as always Jodi's characters are easy to relate to; it just wasn't my kind of book. It did have a great ending though which I was happy about especially after reading 'Handle With Care's ending. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
House Rules
Title: House Rules
Author: Jodi Picoult
Published: 2010
Pages 533
Days it took me to read: 8 hours
Rating 3.5
Favorite Quote: 'How did you sleep last night?' On my stomach
Review: What can I say, I grabbed 3 of Jodi's books while I was at the library the other day. House Rules is another one that I read the summary of when it first came out and then put it back on the shelf. Once again she did not disappoint. Jacob is autistic, but he is high functioning Asperger's. He's 18 and obsessed with forensic evidence. His brother is overlooked, his mom gave up her life for him and his tutor is dead. He ends up as a murder suspect.
It was frustrating to read this book - mainly because Jacob is a frustrating character. And I know this probably sounds awful but if I have a baby that as special needs I pray that if it has to be something I want it to be Down's and not Autism. My heart went out to Emma ( the mom) I can not image having a child that does not want to be touched. That could not register my emotion towards them, or heaven forbid not get my sarcasm! lol
Although this was more of a mystery it really wasn't. You know what happens but the truth doesn't come out for another 250 pages. Plus I just did not understand why he didn't tell the WHOLE truth in the first place, but again not a real person so it doesn't matter. If I had to sugguest this or Handle with Care, I would say read Handle with Care....although this was obviously good enough for me to read 265 pages a day:)
Author: Jodi Picoult
Published: 2010
Pages 533
Days it took me to read: 8 hours
Rating 3.5
Favorite Quote: 'How did you sleep last night?' On my stomach
Review: What can I say, I grabbed 3 of Jodi's books while I was at the library the other day. House Rules is another one that I read the summary of when it first came out and then put it back on the shelf. Once again she did not disappoint. Jacob is autistic, but he is high functioning Asperger's. He's 18 and obsessed with forensic evidence. His brother is overlooked, his mom gave up her life for him and his tutor is dead. He ends up as a murder suspect.
It was frustrating to read this book - mainly because Jacob is a frustrating character. And I know this probably sounds awful but if I have a baby that as special needs I pray that if it has to be something I want it to be Down's and not Autism. My heart went out to Emma ( the mom) I can not image having a child that does not want to be touched. That could not register my emotion towards them, or heaven forbid not get my sarcasm! lol
Although this was more of a mystery it really wasn't. You know what happens but the truth doesn't come out for another 250 pages. Plus I just did not understand why he didn't tell the WHOLE truth in the first place, but again not a real person so it doesn't matter. If I had to sugguest this or Handle with Care, I would say read Handle with Care....although this was obviously good enough for me to read 265 pages a day:)
Handle With Care
Title: Handle with Care
Author: Jodi Picoult
Published: 2009
Pages 477
Days it took me to read: 8 hours
Rating: 4.5
Favorite Quote: ' Do you drink a lot of soda?' Um, yeah I guess. 'Well stop, they use that stuff to clean up the blood after traffic accidents'
Review: So I would say for the past 3 weeks I haven't really read anything. I've been in a depressed slump with pretty much meant I worked, I slept, I ate. So thankfully a trip to the library has helped me get out of that! I read this book in 3 sittings and it is pretty great if you ask me. I feel like if you read the summary you may put it back on the shelf. Actually that's exactly what I did in the aisle of Target when this book came out. Jodi is one of my favorite authors and when I saw that she was writing about disabilities I have to say I was a little turned off.
I should know by now not to doubt the woman, she is an amazing writer and I always feel as if her characters could be my neighbors. This book is about will who has OI (brittle bone disease) and her mother sues her OB-GYN doctor. I think my mom would find this book interesting because they talk about ultrasounds a lot and pregnancy. Then again that is her job not her life so maybe she wouldn't..
Even though I realize these characters are not real, my heart went to Charlotte (the mom) I wished Amelia was stronger. I felt sorry for Pipper and prayed for Williow's bravery and child innocence. I do have to say I did not like the way the book ended. At all. It actually pissed me off a little bit but then again she's ended books like this before so I shouldn't have been too surprised I guess.
I am glad I read this and will probably add it to my collection as I have all of her other books already! :)
Author: Jodi Picoult
Published: 2009
Pages 477
Days it took me to read: 8 hours
Rating: 4.5
Favorite Quote: ' Do you drink a lot of soda?' Um, yeah I guess. 'Well stop, they use that stuff to clean up the blood after traffic accidents'
Review: So I would say for the past 3 weeks I haven't really read anything. I've been in a depressed slump with pretty much meant I worked, I slept, I ate. So thankfully a trip to the library has helped me get out of that! I read this book in 3 sittings and it is pretty great if you ask me. I feel like if you read the summary you may put it back on the shelf. Actually that's exactly what I did in the aisle of Target when this book came out. Jodi is one of my favorite authors and when I saw that she was writing about disabilities I have to say I was a little turned off.
I should know by now not to doubt the woman, she is an amazing writer and I always feel as if her characters could be my neighbors. This book is about will who has OI (brittle bone disease) and her mother sues her OB-GYN doctor. I think my mom would find this book interesting because they talk about ultrasounds a lot and pregnancy. Then again that is her job not her life so maybe she wouldn't..
Even though I realize these characters are not real, my heart went to Charlotte (the mom) I wished Amelia was stronger. I felt sorry for Pipper and prayed for Williow's bravery and child innocence. I do have to say I did not like the way the book ended. At all. It actually pissed me off a little bit but then again she's ended books like this before so I shouldn't have been too surprised I guess.
I am glad I read this and will probably add it to my collection as I have all of her other books already! :)
Born To Run
Title: Born to Run
Author Christopher McDougall
Published: 2009
Pages: 287
Days it took me to read: 4 days
Rating: 5 starts
Favorite Quote: “Deny your nature and it will erupt in some other, uglier way.”
Review: This book is amazing. I still do not consider myself a runner but I do run and a goal of mine is to run a marathon - just to say I did. The only problem is that I really am not a distance runner. The author is a marathoner and kept getting hurt. He could not understand why with the technology that we have and all of the super tech running shoes why he was getting hurt. And at the same time there was a tribe out there called 'The Running People' and in 2 days they could run 400 miles. barefoot. He set out on an adventure to find out their secret even if it meant life or death.'
I learned so much about running. My relationship with running. And other runners for that matter - every time I read all I wanted to do is run! Even though I guess you could consider this book educational it was a quick read for the most part. If you like to run, if you're thinking about running, or if you just want to learn more about running - READ THIS BOOK!
Author Christopher McDougall
Published: 2009
Pages: 287
Days it took me to read: 4 days
Rating: 5 starts
Favorite Quote: “Deny your nature and it will erupt in some other, uglier way.”
Review: This book is amazing. I still do not consider myself a runner but I do run and a goal of mine is to run a marathon - just to say I did. The only problem is that I really am not a distance runner. The author is a marathoner and kept getting hurt. He could not understand why with the technology that we have and all of the super tech running shoes why he was getting hurt. And at the same time there was a tribe out there called 'The Running People' and in 2 days they could run 400 miles. barefoot. He set out on an adventure to find out their secret even if it meant life or death.'
I learned so much about running. My relationship with running. And other runners for that matter - every time I read all I wanted to do is run! Even though I guess you could consider this book educational it was a quick read for the most part. If you like to run, if you're thinking about running, or if you just want to learn more about running - READ THIS BOOK!
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