I think I might actually be returning books on time for once. Yay! Now I need to go stock up on more for a weekend trip to the beach. In addition to overpacking clothes, I usually overpack books too. And really, how many books can one read in a weekend?
So the updates are (again, lacking color/flair in the interest of time - gotta be ready to go by 6PM tonight)...
54. The Girl Who Stopped Swimming (Joshilyn Jackson)
Enjoyed it. Not really sure what else to say, so I'll leave it at that.
53. Certain Girls (Jennifer Weiner)
On Stacy's recommendation, I reread Good in Bed prior to reading this, and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed this, though the first one is probably my favorite of the two. In writing this list, I realize I've got a library book that is MIA. I checked out Good in Bed, and need to add it to my list (as well as return it to the library), but I can't find it anywhere. Hm...
52. Big Boned (Meg Cabot)
Ah, Heather Wells, former teen pop star turned assistant dorm director, you've got to solve a murder again. Really, 3 murders in about a year at the same college dorm does get pretty unbelievable, but there's enough other 'stuff' going on that I still like the book.
51. Death by Chick Lit (Lynn Harris)
It was a funny idea - chick lit authors being killed off. And the title made me laugh. It was cute - again not super scary/tense, but still a decent mystery.
50. Chocolat (Joanne Harris)
I saw the sequel for this on the 'new' shelf, so I wanted to read this one (only saw the movie - and I remember feeling like the movie left off at the start of something). Reading this reminded me that I hadn't seen the movie in a while, which is probably a good thing. Oh, and reading this reminded me that I took Latin and German for my foreign languages. French means nothing to me.
49. One for the Money (Janet Evanovich)
Very cute, not too scary/tense mystery. The main character is definately a character, and this is the first in the series. I like series books, 'cause I always know what to read next.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Ah...summertime
The start of hot days and light, fluffy reading. Mostly. Being lazy, so that I can actually return these to the library on time, and not looking up the little pictures of the book. Sorry for the lack of color and flair, for the 1 - 2 people who actually read this list.
Here's what I've read since the last time I made an update:
48. A Good Indian Wife
Indian moves to America, swears off arranged marriages (one of my Indian co-workers thoughts on arranged marriages - "they're crap"), and ends up in one anyone. Pretty good book and a nice break from chick lit, while still being light and easily digestible.
47. Cause Celeb
Ever wonder why you haven't heard of the first book by Helen Fielding, who wrote Bridget Jones' Diary? There might be a reason. I wouldn't recommend this - it was OK, but not as funny as I was expecting. But really, how funny can you make starvation in Africa? The answer, not as funny as Bridget Jone's diary.
46. There's No Place Like Here
Not my favorite of hers, but reasonably good to pass the time. If I wasn't counting the number of books I read, I might not have finished reading it though...
45. Remember Me?
Another cute summer read. I'm wondering if the TV show Samantha Who got the idea from this book - probably not, but it kinda reminds me of it (yes, I've seen at least one Samantha Who episode).
44. Good in Bed
Reread it in preparation for the next one (on advice from Stacy). I had forgotten how much I liked it. It's not your typical chick lit.
43. Rosie Dunne
Cute. Like her other books. Good, light summer reading.
42. Behind the Scenes at the Museum
I picked this one up from a display at the library. I think it was the book for one of the groups they run. It was... different. I think I liked it, but there were a lot of characters - I really needed a family tree to keep up. ANyway, if you're looknig for something...different, it's a good read.
Here's what I've read since the last time I made an update:
48. A Good Indian Wife
Indian moves to America, swears off arranged marriages (one of my Indian co-workers thoughts on arranged marriages - "they're crap"), and ends up in one anyone. Pretty good book and a nice break from chick lit, while still being light and easily digestible.
47. Cause Celeb
Ever wonder why you haven't heard of the first book by Helen Fielding, who wrote Bridget Jones' Diary? There might be a reason. I wouldn't recommend this - it was OK, but not as funny as I was expecting. But really, how funny can you make starvation in Africa? The answer, not as funny as Bridget Jone's diary.
46. There's No Place Like Here
Not my favorite of hers, but reasonably good to pass the time. If I wasn't counting the number of books I read, I might not have finished reading it though...
45. Remember Me?
Another cute summer read. I'm wondering if the TV show Samantha Who got the idea from this book - probably not, but it kinda reminds me of it (yes, I've seen at least one Samantha Who episode).
44. Good in Bed
Reread it in preparation for the next one (on advice from Stacy). I had forgotten how much I liked it. It's not your typical chick lit.
43. Rosie Dunne
Cute. Like her other books. Good, light summer reading.
42. Behind the Scenes at the Museum
I picked this one up from a display at the library. I think it was the book for one of the groups they run. It was... different. I think I liked it, but there were a lot of characters - I really needed a family tree to keep up. ANyway, if you're looknig for something...different, it's a good read.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Just for Stacy
Finally updating, just for Stacy (who is ahead of me at the moment). I'll get caught up though. Just you watch.
41. Light a Penny Candle
Another good one from Maeve Binchy. According to the back of the book, it's her greatest.
40. The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters
I've read this a couple of times, and reread it again this year. I liked it - again, would I read something again if I didn't like it (possibly, if I was desperate).
39. If You Could See Me Now
Cute book - light summer reading. Good for the beach - or not the beach.
38. The Careful Use of Compliments
I've read others in the series, and enjoyed it. But I think it had been too long since I read the series, and sorta forgot what happened. It was still good :)
37. World Without End
Pillars of the Earth, 200 years later. Also very good.
36. The Pillars of the Earth
Not your usual Oprah's Book Club book. Very good - highly recommend.
35. Home to Holly Springs
So, apparently, this is the launch of the new Father Tim series. But I thought it was a continuation of the Mitford series, so I'm confused. It's the same characters, I think. Anyway, it was cute - if you like the Mitford series, you'll like this one too.
34. Can You Keep a Secret?
Yet another reread. It still makes me laugh too :) I would do something dumb like this (and probably have done something similar, except that it didn't result in me being involved with an unbelievably rich man).
33. P.S. I Love You
Another reread - I kept hearing about the movie, which made me want to read the book. I haven't seen the movie, but I usually think the book is better :) I like this - clearly, or I wouldn't have read it again.
32. Mr. Maybe
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A reread (I have overdue library books once again, and so I'm avoiding them). It's cute - good summer book.
31. People of the Book
It was interesting - mix of history and present day 'stuff'. It came from the new release shelf of the library.
41. Light a Penny Candle
Another good one from Maeve Binchy. According to the back of the book, it's her greatest.
40. The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters
I've read this a couple of times, and reread it again this year. I liked it - again, would I read something again if I didn't like it (possibly, if I was desperate).
39. If You Could See Me Now
Cute book - light summer reading. Good for the beach - or not the beach.
38. The Careful Use of Compliments
I've read others in the series, and enjoyed it. But I think it had been too long since I read the series, and sorta forgot what happened. It was still good :)
37. World Without End
Pillars of the Earth, 200 years later. Also very good.
36. The Pillars of the Earth
Not your usual Oprah's Book Club book. Very good - highly recommend.
35. Home to Holly Springs
So, apparently, this is the launch of the new Father Tim series. But I thought it was a continuation of the Mitford series, so I'm confused. It's the same characters, I think. Anyway, it was cute - if you like the Mitford series, you'll like this one too.
34. Can You Keep a Secret?
Yet another reread. It still makes me laugh too :) I would do something dumb like this (and probably have done something similar, except that it didn't result in me being involved with an unbelievably rich man).
33. P.S. I Love You
Another reread - I kept hearing about the movie, which made me want to read the book. I haven't seen the movie, but I usually think the book is better :) I like this - clearly, or I wouldn't have read it again.
32. Mr. Maybe
A reread (I have overdue library books once again, and so I'm avoiding them). It's cute - good summer book.
31. People of the Book
It was interesting - mix of history and present day 'stuff'. It came from the new release shelf of the library.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Once again, debt to the library
It's really silly that I keep owing the library money because I keep forgetting to log these books. However, for the 10 books or so that I checked out, what I owe is still less than buying the books. Plus, maybe my late fee bought another new book for the library.
Sometimes, I feel guilty for having late books, 'cause someone else is waiting for them. But such is life, I guess. At least they don't give out your name so that the people waiting for the books can call you. That would be bad...or the start of a chick lit novel. And by the way, look at the books I read. Do you really think that most people are really beating down the library doors for science fiction/fantasy. I don't think so.
So here are the books I've read recently, both from the library and my own books (when I had the urge to read, but was out of library books). I really shouldn't save them up, huh?
30. Quentins
Ok, at this point, I have a serious craving to go visit Ireland. I'm almost finished with another of her books, and I think I need to make a trip there at some point.
29. Scarlet Feather
Again, it all works out in the end.
28. The Glass Lake
Clearly, I'm on a tear here. Another good one. Which reminds me, I can't find Circle of Friends, but I know I owned it at one point.
27. Nights of Rain and Stars
Maeve Binchy books are like comfort food to me. And everything always works out at the end. Thank goodness.
26. Goodnight Nobody
Eh. It was ok - entertaining, but not as good as some of her other books.
25. Change of Heart
I enjoyed this, as I usually do with her books. My favorite is still My Sister's Keeper, but this was good too.
24. Swapping Lives
Another chick lit (I keep wanting to write check... another word I must type a lot) book. Entertaining - especially if you wonder if the grass is greener...
23. The Undomestic Goddess
Ah... chick lit. Like little fluffy peeps for my brain.
22. Atonement
Good book. Loved the end. Wonder if the movie is as good (it usually isn't)...
21. The Martian Chronicles
Classic science fiction.
20. The Dolphins of Pern
I always wondered what happened to the dolphins... and here it is.
19. Dragonseye
See #18.
18. The Skies of Pern
Good. Like the others. What else can I say? The end is near. I'm almost done with this series - and then what will I do?
Sometimes, I feel guilty for having late books, 'cause someone else is waiting for them. But such is life, I guess. At least they don't give out your name so that the people waiting for the books can call you. That would be bad...or the start of a chick lit novel. And by the way, look at the books I read. Do you really think that most people are really beating down the library doors for science fiction/fantasy. I don't think so.
So here are the books I've read recently, both from the library and my own books (when I had the urge to read, but was out of library books). I really shouldn't save them up, huh?
30. Quentins
Ok, at this point, I have a serious craving to go visit Ireland. I'm almost finished with another of her books, and I think I need to make a trip there at some point.
29. Scarlet Feather
Again, it all works out in the end.
28. The Glass Lake
Clearly, I'm on a tear here. Another good one. Which reminds me, I can't find Circle of Friends, but I know I owned it at one point.
27. Nights of Rain and Stars
Maeve Binchy books are like comfort food to me. And everything always works out at the end. Thank goodness.
26. Goodnight Nobody
Eh. It was ok - entertaining, but not as good as some of her other books.
25. Change of Heart
I enjoyed this, as I usually do with her books. My favorite is still My Sister's Keeper, but this was good too.
24. Swapping Lives
Another chick lit (I keep wanting to write check... another word I must type a lot) book. Entertaining - especially if you wonder if the grass is greener...
23. The Undomestic Goddess
Ah... chick lit. Like little fluffy peeps for my brain.
22. Atonement
Good book. Loved the end. Wonder if the movie is as good (it usually isn't)...
21. The Martian Chronicles
Classic science fiction.
20. The Dolphins of Pern
I always wondered what happened to the dolphins... and here it is.
19. Dragonseye
See #18.
18. The Skies of Pern
Good. Like the others. What else can I say? The end is near. I'm almost done with this series - and then what will I do?
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Debt to the Library
I have overdue books that I need to return. Only, I haven't returned them because I knew I hadn't updated my list. So now I'm finally doing it, so I can return these books and pay the fine. I'll try and comfort myself with the fact that the fine is less than: 1. the cost of the books had I purchased them myself, plus 2. the cost of another bookcase, as mine are overflowing. With that, on to the list...
17. All the Weyrs of Pern
I think this might have been the end of the series (chronologically - but I still have others to read). As with the others, I enjoyed it. I don't want to give away too much, so you'll have to read it, or ask me if you don't want to read it.
16. Term Limits
Stacy has been on this big kick of Vince Flynn books. Again (see comments above and those regarding #16), I needed some loaners, and this was one of them. I really enjoyed it, but tried to explain it to someone, and it didn't make sense, so if you like political thriller books (and can suspend your disbelief), then you should read it. I will warn you, I didn't like it for about the first 50 pages, then got into it.
15. The Dirty Girls Social Club
First, an aside. There are certain words I type regularly for work (like direct) that make it hard to type other words (apparently, like dirty, I guess because it starts with the same three letters, and my fingers think they know where to go from there). On to the rest... This was a loaner from Stacy (I needed something new to read, but couldn't go to the library, because I owe, and apparently, couldn't get the books into the list so that I could get more books). I think it's actually a loaner from Stacy's friend/co-worker (I could probably claim her as a friend as well, but I like to give context on how I know people). I enjoyed it - chit lit Latina style. It did make me think more about the various types of backgrounds that actually comprise the label Latina, and also about those friends you make that last through good/bad times. Though I don't know that I would always want friends as honest as these girls were (at times).
14. The Girl Who Heard Dragons
This is the book I was referencing below. I was confused (though now I understand the reviews I read), as this was not about another character in the series, but rather, a collection of short stories. They were all good, and some lended additional color to the Pern series (or other series of her's that I've read), but I'm generally not a fan of short stories. They end too soon, and as soon as I start to get into one, I have to move to a new topic. I'm usually left wanting to know more - what happened, what was next, etc.
13. The Chronicles of Pern
As I've mentioned before, I continue to read through this series. I've enjoyed most of them (see the comment on the Girl Who Heard Dragons), because Anne McCaffrey has really developed an entire history (a pretty long history - at least several hundred, but likely at least a thousand - but I can't remember right now) for a fictional planet. I admire her imagination and ability to create an entirely believable world.
17. All the Weyrs of Pern
I think this might have been the end of the series (chronologically - but I still have others to read). As with the others, I enjoyed it. I don't want to give away too much, so you'll have to read it, or ask me if you don't want to read it.
16. Term Limits
Stacy has been on this big kick of Vince Flynn books. Again (see comments above and those regarding #16), I needed some loaners, and this was one of them. I really enjoyed it, but tried to explain it to someone, and it didn't make sense, so if you like political thriller books (and can suspend your disbelief), then you should read it. I will warn you, I didn't like it for about the first 50 pages, then got into it.
15. The Dirty Girls Social Club
First, an aside. There are certain words I type regularly for work (like direct) that make it hard to type other words (apparently, like dirty, I guess because it starts with the same three letters, and my fingers think they know where to go from there). On to the rest... This was a loaner from Stacy (I needed something new to read, but couldn't go to the library, because I owe, and apparently, couldn't get the books into the list so that I could get more books). I think it's actually a loaner from Stacy's friend/co-worker (I could probably claim her as a friend as well, but I like to give context on how I know people). I enjoyed it - chit lit Latina style. It did make me think more about the various types of backgrounds that actually comprise the label Latina, and also about those friends you make that last through good/bad times. Though I don't know that I would always want friends as honest as these girls were (at times).
14. The Girl Who Heard Dragons
This is the book I was referencing below. I was confused (though now I understand the reviews I read), as this was not about another character in the series, but rather, a collection of short stories. They were all good, and some lended additional color to the Pern series (or other series of her's that I've read), but I'm generally not a fan of short stories. They end too soon, and as soon as I start to get into one, I have to move to a new topic. I'm usually left wanting to know more - what happened, what was next, etc.
13. The Chronicles of Pern
As I've mentioned before, I continue to read through this series. I've enjoyed most of them (see the comment on the Girl Who Heard Dragons), because Anne McCaffrey has really developed an entire history (a pretty long history - at least several hundred, but likely at least a thousand - but I can't remember right now) for a fictional planet. I admire her imagination and ability to create an entirely believable world.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
I'm ahead...
...Only because Stacy has started classes again. Thank goodness!
12. Nerilka's Story
Another in Anne McCaffrey's series. I've mentioned before that I like this series, but here's another reason why. She's taken the history of this planet, and told it from multiple perspectives. It's interesting to see the same (or similar - sometimes there is a difference in the time period from book to book) scenes from different perspectives, or other things that were going on at the same time as another event that I already read about.
11. Fourth Comings
Final in the Jessica Darling series. I think I liked how it all ended, but I was a little surprised Stacy was happy with the ending.
10. Charmed Thirds
Third in the Jessica Darling series. Now I can finally read the fourth and final installment. I like reading series books one right after the other, so I don't forget things from book to book.
9. Break No Bones
I needed a book for a car ride, and this one worked well. It's the book series that the TV show Bones is based on. I like them - forensic anthropology/murder mystery. And not too much romance to interrupt the flow of the story. Have you ever noticed how they like to do that with mystery stories? I've never really understood why. If I want romance, I'll read chick lit. If I want mystery, don't interrupt with some mushy scenes.
12. Nerilka's Story
Another in Anne McCaffrey's series. I've mentioned before that I like this series, but here's another reason why. She's taken the history of this planet, and told it from multiple perspectives. It's interesting to see the same (or similar - sometimes there is a difference in the time period from book to book) scenes from different perspectives, or other things that were going on at the same time as another event that I already read about.
11. Fourth Comings
Final in the Jessica Darling series. I think I liked how it all ended, but I was a little surprised Stacy was happy with the ending.
10. Charmed Thirds
Third in the Jessica Darling series. Now I can finally read the fourth and final installment. I like reading series books one right after the other, so I don't forget things from book to book.
9. Break No Bones
I needed a book for a car ride, and this one worked well. It's the book series that the TV show Bones is based on. I like them - forensic anthropology/murder mystery. And not too much romance to interrupt the flow of the story. Have you ever noticed how they like to do that with mystery stories? I've never really understood why. If I want romance, I'll read chick lit. If I want mystery, don't interrupt with some mushy scenes.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Total of 8 Books Now
8. Seeing Me Naked
Recommended by Stacy. It was a good recommendation :) More serious chick lit than the usual light books. Now, the problem is, since it was all about a pasty chef, I was SERIOUSLY craving pastry the entire time I was reading it. It's the same reason why I can NEVER watch the food network. One time, we were watching this episode (me, Kerry and Stacy) about a resturant that specialized in peanut butter sandwiches, and I craved them all day. Luckily, on another vacation, Stacy and I got to go to the resturant (sorry Kerry).
7. Renegades of Pern
Another in the Pern series. Really, if you like sci-fi, you need to read this series. But call me/email me before you read it, 'cause I would change the order that I'm reading this in, if I could go back in time.
6. Dragonsdawn
See comments above :) I think I have 3 more in the series.
Recommended by Stacy. It was a good recommendation :) More serious chick lit than the usual light books. Now, the problem is, since it was all about a pasty chef, I was SERIOUSLY craving pastry the entire time I was reading it. It's the same reason why I can NEVER watch the food network. One time, we were watching this episode (me, Kerry and Stacy) about a resturant that specialized in peanut butter sandwiches, and I craved them all day. Luckily, on another vacation, Stacy and I got to go to the resturant (sorry Kerry).
7. Renegades of Pern
Another in the Pern series. Really, if you like sci-fi, you need to read this series. But call me/email me before you read it, 'cause I would change the order that I'm reading this in, if I could go back in time.
6. Dragonsdawn
See comments above :) I think I have 3 more in the series.
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