I am still reading The Hobbit. It is really good and I only have 115 pages left!



What are you all reading?

Books Read in April
14. Ten Big Ones-Janet Evanovich (Grade B+)
15. Club Dead-Charlaine Harris(Grade B+)
16. Dead to the World-Charlaine Harris (Grade A)




Best surprise/Most recommendable: Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris was quite the interesting read. This series is turning in another direction and I really like it.

Worst read of the month: I really like the Stephanie Plum series. However Ten Big Ones was just an ok read.




**I am currently reading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. What are you reading?

What book are you currently reading?

Book #15
Book Title: Club Dead
Author: Charlaine Harris
Category: fiction; mystery
# of pages: 292
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: B+
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):Sookie Stackhouse is having man trouble. Her vampire boyfriend, Bill, has been distant and inattentive lately. Then he announces that he is going on a business trip, which clearly is more than it seems. After a werewolf tries to abduct Sookie at work, Bill's boss, Eric, tells her that Bill fell under the sway of his--Bill's, that is--ex, a sexy vamp named Lorena, and has been kidnapped. Eric wants Sookie's help in getting Bill back, and despite her hurt over Bill's betrayal, Sookie agrees to go to Jackson, Mississippi, to find her wayward lover. Eric has persuaded Alcide, a dashing werewolf, to get Sookie access to Josephine's, aka Club Dead, the local hangout of Jackson's supernatural element. In between dodging kidnappers, the advances of amorous Eric, and her growing feelings for Alcide, Sookie has to find out who kidnapped Bill and figure out a way to rescue him. With some droll touches--Elvis, now a vampire, is Sookie's faithful guard --Club Dead is ideal for readers who like their vampire fiction light, humorous, and fast-paced.

My Thoughts: This book was pretty good. I really like Alcide and am hoping to see more of him as the rest of the series progresses. I can say right now that I am not a fan of Bill especially after this book. I am ready to see what happens to all of the characters in the books that follow.

Books read this year: 15/50. I'm 30% done!!!


Next read(s): I think I am going to read the next book in the Sookie Stackhouse series.

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

What book are you all currently reading?



I am reading Club Dead by Charlaine Harris. This is an interesting series about vampires.

Book #14
Book Title: Ten Big Ones
Author: Janet Evanovich
Category: fiction; thriller
# of pages: 319
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: B+
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):Stephanie Plum, girl bounty hunter, the terror of Trenton, the bane of her boyfriend Joe Morelli's existence, and the delight of her crazy grandma's heart, is in the wrong place at the wrong time--as usual. Just happening to be indulging her nachos jones at a local deli when it's robbed by the notorious Red Devils, Plum is the eye witness who could put the gang leader, known as the Junkman, behind bars... if he just lets her live long enough. Looking for a place to hide out from the killer until the cops catch up with him, Stephanie sneaks into her fellow bounty hunter Ranger's apartment without telling Morelli, who's not overly fond of him. All the usual suspects in this long-running series are along for a wilder than ever ride, including Lula the gun-toting ex-hooker, Grandma Mazur, Stephanie's pregnant sister Valerie and her fiancé, as well as a host of minor characters who bring Trenton's seedier environs to life. Ten Big Ones is another madcap caper by a writer whose fans will doubtless catapult this easy beach read to the top of the bestseller list.

My Thoughts: This book was pretty funny. However to me the plot seemed a bit simple to predict. However this series is really funny and the characters are great.

Books read this year: 14/50. I'm 27% done!!!


Next read(s): I am about to start Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

A:

B: Be the Pack Leader by Cesar Millan
Because I'm Worth It by Cecily von Ziegesar

C: Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

D:

E:

F:

G:

H: Hot Six by Janet Evanovich
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich

I: I Like it Like That by Cecily von Ziegesar

J: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

K:

L:Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
Life Strategies by Phillip C. McGraw

M:

N:

O:

P:

Q:

R:

S: Subtle Knife,The by Philip Pullman
So, Now You Know by Harry Bright and Harlan Briscoe
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

T: To the Nines by Janet Evanovich

U:

V:

W:

X:

Y:

Z:

Books Read in March
11. To the Nines-Janet Evanovich (Grade B)
12. Confessions of a Shopaholic-Sophie Kinsella (Grade A+)
13. Life Strategies-Phillip C. McGraw (Grade B+)




Best surprise/Most recommendable: Confessions of a Shopaholic. This was such a cute and fun read. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!

Worst read of the month: I really like the Stephanie Plum series. However To the Nines was just an ok read.




I am still reading Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich. Next I am going to read the rest of the Sookie Stackhouse series.

Has anyone read The Purpose Driven Life? I am currently reading it and it says to read it with other people. If you have this book you should read it now!

I know that Dr. Phil is not love and that he has done some not good things. However I really think that Life Strategies has some great points and I really do like this book so far. I am on a self improvement and motivational book kick.



What are you all reading now?

Ok I can't get into The Princess Bride so I am going to attempt to read Velocity by Dean Koontz. I hope that this is a better read!

Poll #1152587 Next Book Read
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 11

Which book should I read next?

Comment with any other book ideas that you might have.

I was trying to read this book called Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen. I really hated the writing style and it seemed like she had a difficult time focusing on the storyline. Have you all read any of books by this author? Were they written in that same style?


I decided to start the next book in the Stephanie Plum series which is Ten Big Ones. What are you all reading? Maybe I can be inspired to read something different next lol!

Book #12
Book Title: Confessions of a Shopaholic
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Category: fiction; chick lit
# of pages: 348
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: A+
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):If you've ever paid off one credit card with another, thrown out a bill before opening it, or convinced yourself that buying at a two-for-one sale is like making money, then this silly, appealing novel is for you. In the opening pages of Confessions of a Shopaholic, recent college graduate Rebecca Bloomwood is offered a hefty line of credit by a London bank. Within a few months, Sophie Kinsella's heroine has exceeded the limits of this generous offer, and begins furtively to scan her credit-card bills at work, certain that she couldn't have spent the reported sums.
In theory anyway, the world of finance shouldn't be a mystery to Rebecca, since she writes for a magazine called Successful Saving. Struggling with her spendthrift impulses, she tries to heed the advice of an expert and appreciate life's cheaper pleasures: parks, museums, and so forth. Yet her first Saturday at the Victoria and Albert Museum strikes her as a waste. Why? There's not a price tag in sight.

It kind of takes the fun out of it, doesn't it? You wander round, just looking at things, and it all gets a bit boring after a while. Whereas if they put price tags on, you'd be far more interested. In fact, I think all museums should put prices on their exhibits. You'd look at a silver chalice or a marble statue or the Mona Lisa or whatever, and admire it for its beauty and historical importance and everything--and then you'd reach for the price tag and gasp, "Hey, look how much this one is!" It would really liven things up.

Eventually, Rebecca's uncontrollable shopping and her "imaginative" solutions to her debt attract the attention not only of her bank manager but of handsome Luke Brandon--a multimillionaire PR representative for a finance group frequently covered in Successful Saving. Unlike her opposite number in Bridget Jones's Diary, however, Rebecca actually seems too scattered and spacey to reel in such a successful man. Maybe it's her Denny and George scarf. In any case, Kinsella's debut makes excellent fantasy reading for the long stretches between white sales and appliance specials.

My Thoughts: This was such a cute and fast read! The dialogue and plot really get you hooked into the story quite fast! I really thought that it was a witty and humorous portrayal of a shopaholic. If you like funny chick lit and are a shopaholic then I recommend this book. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!

Books read this year: 12/50. I'm 24% done!!!


Next read(s): I am about to start reading London by Edward Rutherford and I will probably pick up another book to read at the same time.
X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

Does anyone else besides thetinydemon have a booksfree.com account?

Do you like it?

I am now reading three books all at the same time.

My gorl is to finish To the Nines by Janet Evanovich so that my mom can borrow it. Then I would like to finish The Testament by John Grisham. I have borrowed a bunch of those books from my mom and I should finish them and give them back to her so I can borrow some more lol. Then I would like to finish Life Strategies by Dr. Phil so that I can have at least one helpful book read this month.

ETA: I should add that I would like to read one book that is considered classical literature each month.


What will be your first read for March?
What will be your reading goals this month?

I am now reading The Testament by John Grisham and then Life Strategies by Dr. Phil McGraw. I am attempting to read more motivational and inspirational reads.

Are there any motivational or self help books that you can recommend?

Book #10
Book Title: Jurassic Park
Author: Michael Crichton
Category: scifi
# of pages: 399
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: A
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):An island off Costa Rica will soon be the world's most ambitious theme park--a dinosaur preserve. A visionary financier's biotechnology company has succeeded in cloning these extinct reptiles. Fifteen different species, presumably incapable of breeding, are now placidly roaming around, but Jurassic Park's resident mathematician, an expert in chaos theory, predicts that the animals' behavior is inherently unstable. When a rival genetics firm attempts to steal frozen dinosaur embryos, things go haywire. Two cute American kids, eight-year-old Tina and 11-year-old Tim, a safari guide from Kenya and a Denver paleontologist set things aright--almost. Though the dinosaurs here are more interesting than the people, Crichton ( The Andromeda Strain ) ingeniously interweaves details of genetic engineering, computer wizardry and current scientific controversy over dinosaurs to fashion a scary, creepy, mesmerizing techno-thriller with teeth. It can be read as a thought-provoking fable about technological hubris and the hazards of bioengineering.

My Thoughts: This was such an interesting read. How can you go wrong with dinosaurs? I started reading it and I planned on comparing it to the movie. However it is not even close to the story that the movie told. I found that there was so much left out of the movie that the book explained so much better. Crichton is very descriptive in his writing and sometimes it seems like he is too descriptive. If you enjoy science fiction and dinosaurs then I cannot recommend this book enough. The cliffhanger at the end has convinced me now to read The Lost World.

Books read this year: 10/50. I'm 20% done!!!


Next read(s): I am about to start reading The Lost World.

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

Book #9
Book Title: Hard Eight
Author: Janet Evanovich
Category: fiction; mystery; humor
# of pages: 326
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: B+
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):In Hard Eight, Stephanie Plum picks up a case a little nastier than anything the wisecracking bounty hunter's seen before. Evelyn Soder and her young daughter have gone on the run, leaving an angry ex-husband who's planning to collect on a child custody bond that will leave Evelyn's grandmother homeless. Stephanie's first clue that there's more to it than that comes in the form of Eddie Abruzzi, a shady local businessman who warns her to butt out of the case. Stephanie doesn't scare easily, but when Abruzzi's henchmen leave a bag of snakes on her doorknob and tarantulas in her car, she has no choice but to call Ranger, the hunky man of mystery whom she already owes too many favors. Steph knows that Ranger will soon be calling in his marker, but with her ex- fiancé Joe Morelli out of the picture, that should be OK--shouldn't it? In the meantime, she's got other fugitives to catch, aided by the usual band of misfits, plus a bumbling correspondence-school lawyer who's developed the hots for Stephanie's sister, Valerie. And Steph's in for a surprise from her mother, who proves she's not above wielding a dangerous weapon to save her daughter's life.
Author Janet Evanovich has made a bold move in using a soupçon of child jeopardy to pull this series out of the comfortable but formulaic pattern it was threatening to fall into. It's still funny, and yes, some cars are destroyed, but now there's a real edge of darkness under the humor. Fans needn't fear, though: Jersey girl Stephanie is still full of sass and Tastykakes.


My Thoughts: This series is very interesting. However I didn't like this one as much simply because Plum and Morelli were not together anymore. They made such a great couple and there is a great dynamic between the two. Without that the plot seemed a bit lackluster. However I am still enjoying this series and cannot wait to read the rest of the books.

Books read this year: 9/50. I'm 18% done!!!


Next read(s): I started rereading Jurassic Park since it has been a while.

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

Book #8
Book Title: Seven Up
Author: Janet Evanovich
Category: fiction; mystery; humor
# of pages: 337
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: B+
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's got a lot on her mind. How does cigarette smuggler Eddie DeChooch, a fugitive so geriatric that even the hot-to-trot Grandma Mazur won't go out with him a third time, keep giving her the slip? How did a woman who died of a heart attack end up in DeChooch's garden shed with five bullet holes in her chest? Who stole a rump roast from Dougie and Mooner, the two lovable potheads who have decided to be crime fighters in Spandex bodysuits? Can Stephanie's perfect sister Valerie make it as a lesbian single mother without driving her family crazy? And--oh yeah--what should Stephanie do about that damn wedding dress on hold at Tina's Bridal Shoppe, waiting for her to decide whether vice cop Joe Morelli's really the one for her?

I did look good in the gown. I looked like Scarlett O' Hara getting ready for a big wedding at Tara. I moved around a little to simulate dancing.
"Jump up and down so we can see how it'll look when you do the bunny hop," Grandma said.

"It's pretty but I don't want a gown," I said.

"I can order one in her size at no obligation," Tina said.

"No obligation," Grandma said. "You can't beat that."

"As long as there's no obligation," my mother said.

I needed chocolate. A lot of chocolate. "Oh gee," I said, "look at the time. I need to go."

To complicate matters further, Stephanie's made a reluctant deal with the devil: if she can't bring in DeChooch by herself, her sexy but dangerous cohort Ranger is willing to help--for a price that a girl who's not-exactly-engaged is uncertain whether she should pay. But when Dougie and Mooner disappear, Grandma is kidnapped, and a crazy widow starts taking pot shots, no one who hides her .38 in a cookie jar is going to turn down a little friendly assistance.

In Seven Up, Janet Evanovich serves up her usual bubbly fare: a totaled car, raucous viewings at Stiva's Funeral Parlor, buffoonish bad guys, and down-and-dirty mud wrestling, all stirred up with some snappy Jersey repartee and a few tart, new twists that will keep her fans impatient. Heaven can't wait for number eight.


My Thoughts: This series is very interesting. This was not one of my favorites in the series. However the ending was a cliffhanger. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!

Books read this year: 8/50. I'm 16% done!!!


Next read(s): I'm still reading The Amber Spyglass and I'm going to read the next book in the Stephanie Plum series.

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

Book #7
Book Title: Hot Six
Author: Janet Evanovich
Category: fiction; mystery; humor
# of pages: 336
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: A
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):Never mind who did the deed with New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum at the end of High Five. Five months later, that night's only a dim, cherished memory, and Stephanie's freezing her butt off on a Trenton bridge trying to keep her friend Carol--caught shoplifting some crotchless panties she was too embarrassed to buy--from committing suicide.

Truth is, I didn't for a minute think she'd jump. For one thing, she was wearing a four-hundred-dollar jacket from Wilson Leather. You just don't jump off a bridge in a four-hundred-dollar jacket. It isn't done. The jacket would get ruined. Carol was from the Chambersburg section of Trenton, just like me, and in the Burg you gave the jacket to your sister, then you jumped off the bridge.
When Stephanie finally talks Carol down and makes it in to work at Vincent Plum Bail Bonds, it's only to find that her libido-boosting pal Ranger, the professional bounty hunter and sometime hit man, has disappeared. A building owned by black-market arms dealer Alexander Ramos has burned down, with Ramos's son Homer lying inside, dead from a gunshot wound. Ranger, who was caught on film there by video cameras, is wanted for questioning. Stephanie's boss Vinnie wants her to find him, but Stephanie, who knows she won't find Ranger if he doesn't want to be found, refuses. Soon everyone, from her cop boyfriend Joe Morelli to the two Laurel and Hardy wannabes who suddenly start following her around Trenton in a badass black Lincoln, thinks she's hot on Ranger's trail.
And Stephanie's got other things to worry about. For one thing, Grandma Mazur's moved in with her, and so has Bob, a golden retriever who's only partly house trained. Then Ranger starts popping up at odd times of the night, with instructions for Stephanie to keep an eye on another Ramos son, Hannibal. Add to that one homicidal maniac, a couple more dead bodies, Stephanie's usual bad car karma, and the zit from hell, and you've got yourself one fine Stephanie Plum adventure. Will Stephanie triumph? You can bet a jelly doughnut on it. And there's another great cliffhanger waiting at the end.

My Thoughts: This is a great series! Stephanie's grandmother is hilarious and this plot has many twists and turns. If you like chick lit, murder mysteries, and funny plots then this is the series for you.

Books read this year: 7/50. I'm 14% done!!!


Next read(s): I'm still reading The Amber Spyglass and am about to start reading Seven Up by Janet Evanovich.

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

Books Read in January
1. Be the Pack Leader-Cesar Millan (Grade A)
2. The Subtle Knife-Philip Pullman (A)
3. Because I'm Worth It-Cecily von Ziegesar (A)
4. I Like it Like That-Cecily con Ziegesar (B)
5. Living Dead in Dallas-Charlaine Harris (A)
6. So, Now You Know-Harry Bright & Harlan Briscoe (A)


Best surprise/Most recommendable: Living Dead in Dallas. Read the first book in the series Dad Until Dark before this one.
Don't bother: Unless you have dogs I wouldn't bother reading Be the Pack Leader. It was so similar to his other book.



I am currently reading The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman, Managing Your Emotion by Joyce Meyer, and Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie.

Book #6
Book Title: So, Now You Know
Author: Harry Bright & Harlan Briscoe
Category: nonfiction
# of pages: 184
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: A
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):Curiosity may have killed the cat but it fuels the human spirit. Now you can feast on the most delectable stew of peculiar facts, exotic notions, and incidental information ever gathered together!

My Thoughts: This was a very interesting read. Useless facts are fun to learn and I highly recommend this read.

Books read this year: 6/50. I'm 12% done!!!


Next read(s): I'm still reading The Amber Spyglass.

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

I have only read 10 pages of this book so far but it is a great read.

Book #5
Book Title: Living Dead in Dallas
Author: Charlaine Harris
Category: fiction; mystery
# of pages: 291
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: A
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):When a vampire asks Sookie Stackhouse to use her telepathic skills to find another missing vampire, she agrees under one condition: the bloodsuckers must promise to let the humans go unharmed.


My Thoughts: This book was a great follow up to Dead Until Dark. I thought this was a better read then the first book in the series. If you enjoy vampire and murder mystery books then I recommend this series.

Books read this year: 4/50. I'm 8% done!!!


Next read(s): I think I'm going to read The Amber Spyglass next.

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

Book #4
Book Title: I Like it Liked That: A Gossip Girl Novel
Author: Cecily von Ziegesar
Category: YA fiction
# of pages: 201
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: B+
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):Spring break and love is in the air. Or is that a blend of Chanel no. 9 and Gucci Rush?Is there a difference?Blair moves in with Serena and they're back to being best friends.But will the love-fest last or will they end up tearing out one anothers newly highlighted hair?And speaking of new, Nate is on the straight and narrow, playing Nate-in-shining-armor to his crazy new girlfriend, Georgie. But he will definitely get more than he bargained for when he, Georgie, Blair and Serena end up hanging out together in Sun Valley, Idaho.Back in Manhattan Jenny is spending time with a mysteriously nice new boyfriend and Dan is spending time crying in theoffice of the Paris Review literary journal. And Vanessa, wait, is that Vanessa shopping at Barneys with a guy in a Lacoste shirt? The long cold winter is over and the sun is finally shining along Fifth Avenue.The trees are in bloom and NYC's most fabulous are ready for a truly outrageous vacation!

My Thoughts: This series is really quite interesting. This however is my least favorite book in the series so far. It just didn't have the same amount of excitingness as the rest of the series up to this point has. I still will be reading the rest of the series.

Books read this year: 3/50. I'm 6% done!!!


Next read(s): I think I'm going to read The Amber Spyglass next.

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

http://community.livejournal.com/readplease/541545.html


Well I guess I will be stopping Living Dead in Dallas and finish it after The Shining.



Have you all read this book? What did you think of it?

Ok I lied. I'm reading Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris. I'm in a chick lit and vampire book mood. Hahaha!

Book #3
Book Title: Because I'm Worth It: A Gossip Girl Novel
Author: Cecily von Ziegesar
Category: YA fiction
# of pages: 232
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: A
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):All the regular cast is present in this fourth installment in the series. Situations and alliances have shifted, but these are still beautiful, rich kids whose lives are the stuff of fantasy, and whose achievements seem effortless. Almost by accident, Dan gets a poem published in the New Yorker. Vanessa's film New York is used as a backdrop for an important fashion show. Serena lands a modeling job just by entering a clothing store. However, there is also a darker side to the characters' lives. Neglected and unloved by their self-centered parents, these teens are dying to be noticed. Nate gets busted for drug use. Within hours of meeting a new girl in group counseling, he ends up saving her life when she overdoses. Things don't go well for Blair, either. She's still trying to get into Yale after botching her interview in a previous book. In this installment, she's about to fall for the older man helping her repair the damage of her first interview--until she discovers that he's not separated from his wife and that his daughter is a freshman at her school. Soap operalike, the trials and joys of these kids continue. Teens interested in reading about the lives of Manhattan prep-schoolers are sure to devour this book.

My Thoughts: This series is really quite interesting. Vanessa and Dan are the most intriguing characters in the series. They're quite different than the rest of the characters in the story. I wonder what will happen to them during the reading of the series.

Books read this year: 3/50. I'm 6% done!!!


Next read(s): I think I'm going to read The Shining by Stephen King

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

I have decided to read the Harry Potter series over again. I cannot find the first one so I am going to start with Chamber of Secrets and read one a month.



I will continue with A Great and Terrible Beauty afterwards.

I am already on Book #3 for this year. I have read this book a year and a half ago but I really do not remember much about it.








What is your current read?

I really am enjoying The Subtle Knife. After that I am going to read The Princess Bride. What other books should I read this year?

Here is another book list that I am going to try to follow. It is from a community on Facebook called BBC Big Read in which I am a part of.

All of the books that I have read I have striked out.

( the list )

What is going to be your first read of 2008?

Book #39
Book Title: All I Want is Everything: A Gossip Girl Novel
Author: Cecily von Ziegesar
Category: YA Fiction; Chick Lit
# of pages: 213
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: A
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):S and B and J and N are back, along with A, D, V, and assorted other rich, catty Manhattan teenagers in this third installment of the Gossip Girl series. An omniscient and anonymous narrator keeps track of the scene in www.gossipgirl.net (now an actual site), where the rumors fly, backs are stabbed, and celebrity sightings are dutifully reported. Serena (S) and Blair (B) are best friends again, shoring each other up as Blair faces life without her ex, Nate, who has hooked up with a sweet, busty 14-year-old, and Serena fends off advances from drop-dead-gorgeous rock star, Flow. Life’s rough. Meanwhile, Vanessa and Dan play the will-he/won’t-he game of sex, and Aaron tries to thwart his own crush on new stepsister Blair.
They’re the teens you love to hate, and yet it’s not all trash. Beneath the designer name-obsessed veneer and the nasty soap opera quality of Gossip Girl novels, there’s plenty that’s true and real for any teenager. Angst, creative passion, love, college applications, drinking, smoking, sex…sure, these kids are obnoxious and spoiled, but their core issues are not a million miles away from every other teen’s. And you know you love it.


My Thoughts: I really liked this book. The most interesting characters aren't even S or B. The others are what make these books so great!

Books read this year: 39/50. I'm 78% done!!!


Next read(s): I am about to start Be the Pack Leader by Cesar Millan.

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

I can't stop reading these books! I have only read the first 3, but I know that eventually I am going to have to get the next 10. Plus there is another spin off series that of course I will read as well!

Book #38
Book Title: You Know You Love Me: A Gossip Girl Novel
Author: Cecily von Ziegesar
Category: YA Fiction; Chick Lit
# of pages: 225
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: A
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):College interviews, romantic troubles and a fancy wedding photographed for Vogue dominate this second installment of von Ziegesar's frothy but fun series about rich Manhattan prep school kids and the gossip Web site tracking their lives. Blair Waldorf's mother is marrying her "seriously tacky" boyfriend on Blair's birthday and has chosen the bulimic overachiever's former best friend Serena as a bridesmaid (Blair will be maid of honor). Meanwhile, "hunky" Nate avoids Blair (he's secretly seeing chesty Jenny Humphrey), and the compounded stress makes her act like a "freakshow" during her Yale interview. Blonde bombshell Serena is disturbed by poet Dan's intense affections, struggles through her own interview at Brown and scores first prize in a school film contest. The plot culminates at the wedding, where the girls' boy troubles come to a head. As with her Gossip Girl, von Ziegesar creates a complete world: the characters get drunk, shop and indulge in spa treatments plus, the film contest prize is two tickets to Cannes. While this is still strictly a guilty pleasure, the story lines are better developed in this volume and the characters show more growth. But it's their outrageous lifestyles and antics and the snide omniscient narrator that will keep readers turning the pages.

My Thoughts: I much as I hate to admit it I really am enjoying this series. If you enjoy teen reads and chick lit then this is the series for you. They're fun and easy reads.

Books read this year: 38/50. I'm 76% done!!!


Next read(s): I am going to attempt to read Eat Prey Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

Book #37
Book Title: The Golden Compass
Author: Philip Pullman
Category: YA Fiction; Fantasy
# of pages: 351
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: A+
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):In The Golden Compass, Philip Pullman has written a masterpiece that transcends genre. It is a children's book that will appeal to adults, a fantasy novel that will charm even the most hardened realist. Best of all, the author doesn't speak down to his audience, nor does he pull his punches; there is genuine terror in this book, and heartbreak, betrayal, and loss. There is also love, loyalty, and an abiding morality that infuses the story but never overwhelms it. This is one of those rare novels that one wishes would never end. Fortunately, its sequel, The Subtle Knife, will help put off that inevitability for a while longer.

My Thoughts: I tried reading this book last year and could only get halfway through it. I am glad that I tried it again because this time around I realize that I can now say that this is one of the best books that I have ever read. If you enjoy a great fantasy read then this is the book for you.

Books read this year: 37/50. I'm 74% done!!!


Next read(s): I am about to start You Know You Love Me: A Gossip Girl Novel.

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I made it past the first section in The Golden Compass. I think I will actually finish it this time and may even read the other two books in the series.






What are you all currently reading?

This is my list so far. I will be adding to this list and marking them out as I read them.

Atonement-Ian McEwan
Terrier: The Legend of Beka Cooper #1-Tamora Pierce
PS I Love You-Cecelia Ahern
Confessions of a Shopaholic-Sophie Kinsella
Maximum Ride #3-James Patterson
Sense & Sensilibility-Jane Austen
Hot Six-Janet Evanovich
The Namesake-Jhumpa Lahiri
6th Target- James Patterson
The Thirteenth Tale-Diane Setterfeld
Lolita-Vladimir Nabokov
The Glass Castle-Jeannette Walls
Velocity-Dean Koontz
Last of the Mohicans-James Fenimore Cooper
The Street Lawyer-John Grisham
A Purpose Driven Life-Rick Warren
Pet Semetary-Stephen King
Peter Pan-J.M. Barrie
The Hobbit-J.R.R. Tolkien
Peter & the Starcatchers-Ridley Pearson and Greg Call
Dracula-Bram Stoker
The Historian-Elizabeth Kostova
Glamorama- Bret Easton Ellis
The Broker-John Grisham
Isolde-Rosalind Miles
Tender is the Night-F. Scott Fitzgerald
That was Then, This is Now-S.E. Hinton
State of Fear-Michael Crichton
The King of Torts-John Grisham
Artemis Fowl-Eoin Colfer
Tis-Frank McCourt
Cloud Nine-Luanne Rice
Dragon Tears-Dean Koontz
Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven-Fannie Flagg
The Alienist-Caleb Carr
Lord of the Rings Trilogy-J.R.R. Tolkien
Merlin Trilogy-Mary Stewart

Which ones have you all read? Which ones did you like? Dislike? What other books should I add to my list?

I have read 50 pages of Golden Compass and I have been reading it for about a week. Did anyone else have a hard time getting through this?

What are some good chick lit authors and/or books that you can recommend?

What are you all currently reading? Is it any good?









*I'm reading Gossip Girl: A Novel. It's interesting so far!

Book #35
Book Title: Angels All Over Town
Author: Luanne Rice
Category: Fiction; Chick Lit
# of pages: 372
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: B
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):Una Cavan doesn’t believe in ghosts. But ghosts seem to believe in her. At least, her father’s ghost does, walking into and out of her life as casually as if he were entering and exiting a room. Una has always believed the Cavan women had the power of witches, and from the beaches of Connecticut to the bustle of New York City they’ve shared the special unbreakable bond of sisters. No man has been able to come between them…until Lily marries the “perfect” man and begins to drift away and Margo gets engaged. With another failed relationship behind her, and a thriving career as an actress ahead of her, Una wonders if she’s destined to be alone–or if there isn’t something more, something magical that life has in store for her. Then an unexpected encounter gives her the answer she’s been seeking.

My Thoughts: This was a cute read! I really enjoyed reading about Una and her various relationships. I wish there was a sequel to this book so we could know how all of her sisters and sister's relationships turn out. If you like chick lit then this is a read that you will enjoy.

Books read this year: 35/50. I'm 70% done!!!


Next read(s): Gossip Girl: A Novel by Cecily von Ziegesar.

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

Book #34
Book Title: Prozac Nation
Author: Elizabeth Wurtzel
Category: Memoir
# of pages: 311
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: C
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):Twenty-six-year-old Wurtzel, a former critic of popular music for New York and the New Yorker, recounts in this luridly intimate memoir the 10 years of chronic, debilitating depression that preceded her treatment with Prozac in 1990. After her parents' acrimonious divorce, Wurtzel was raised by her mother on Manhattan's Upper West Side. The onset of puberty, she recalls, also marked the onset of recurrent bouts of acute depression, sending her spiraling into episodes of catatonic despair, masochism and hysterical crying. Here she unsparingly details her therapists, hospitalizations, binges of sex and drug use and the paralyzing spells of depression which afflicted her in high school and as a Harvard undergraduate and culminated in a suicide attempt and ultimate diagnosis of atypical depression, a severe, episodic psychological disorder. The title is misleading, for Wurtzel skimps on sociological analysis and remains too self-involved to justify her contention that depression is endemic to her generation. By turns emotionally powerful and tiresomely solipsistic, her book straddles the line between an absorbing self-portrait and a coy bid for public attention.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book when I started it. However, as I kept on reading, it seemed like this book dragged on, and a lot of things she discussed were repeated too many times. Also, there was something about her attitude I picked up on as I read this book, that I really did not like. Even though I preferred the movie to the book, I am still very interested in reading more memoirs about mental illnesses.


Books read this year: 34/50. I'm 68% done!!!


Next read(s): Tithe by Holly Black

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!

I am now reading Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel. I really was interested in reading this book after I saw the film and this book is very well-written, and I am having a hard time putting it down.

Ok, I couldn't get into yet ANOTHER book, so I am trying my last library book before I go back. It is called Leonardo's Shadow by Christopher Grey.




What are you all reading right now?

I tried reading Never Let Me Go, but it really wasn't interesting to me, so I am now reading The Confessions of Max Tivoli. Have any of you all read this book?

Book #33
Book Title: Wicked Lovely
Author: Melissa Marr
Category: young adult fiction
# of pages: 328
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: C-
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com):
Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.

Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21st century faery tale.


My Thoughts: I was surprisingly disappointed with this book. It just seemed like a combination of Twilight (which I really like) with the Narnia series (which I don't really care that much for.) The story was mildly entertaining, but as the story progressed, I continued to lose interest in it. I was glad that I checked this book out of the library instead of purchasing it.


Books read this year: 33/50. I'm 66% done!!!


Next read(s): Never Let Me Go byKazuo Ishiguro, The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer, and Leonardo's Shadow by Christopher Grey.

X-posted to my book community, book_stuff and a whole lot of other places!